Thee port of the south coast town of Limassol, Transport, Communications and Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Alecos Michaelides has told CNA.

Replying to CNA questions Michaelides, said that the cargo, which has been confiscated will be fully inspected on Thursday, by Antiquities Department officers.

He said the Department had received information about the cargo and that the Foreign Ministry was also informed that the American vessel “Odyssey Explorer” had been located close to Cyprus` shores and that there were suspicions it carried antiquities on board.

The vessel, which is now docked in Limassol port, has been searched and “indeed antiquities dated approximately to the 18th century have been found,” Michaelides added.

On Thursday, Antiquities Department officers, in cooperation with Port & Marine Police officers and Customs officers, will fully check  the confiscated cargo, he said replying to another question.

Police sources had said earlier that the vessel, under Bahamas flag, had docked in Limassol port on December 17. According to the same sources Limassol police conducted an investigation and found over 50 plastic boxes which contained items which seemed like artefacts.