Consumer advocacy group wants Peru to claim treasure found near Spain

[Judi Lynn]

Consumer advocacy group wants Peru to claim treasure found near Spain

The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 10, 2008

LIMA, Peru: Peruvian consumer rights advocates urged Peru's government Monday to claim some US$500 million in gold and silver coins found in a sunken galleon off the coast of Spain last year.

Some 17 tons (15.4 metric tons) of coins were discovered by a Tampa, Fla.-based treasure-hunting company, Odyssey Marine Exploration, when it raised a shipwreck west of the Straits of Gibraltar in May 2007.

Spain's government also claims ownership of the wreck and its contents and has sued Odyssey, which hauled away the treasure.

But the Association of Peruvian Consumers and Users said the South American nation also has a right to the booty, since it believes the coins were made with Peruvian metals and minted in Lima.

"This gold was stolen from the Incas," said Jaime Delgado, the consumer group's president.

A spokeswoman for Peru's National Institute of Culture said the government could take legal action if its own research finds the coins are of Peruvian origin.

More:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/10/america/LA-GEN-Peru-Treasure.php