Switzerland will return 4,400 stolen artifacts found in Basel in 2001 to Italy, CBC News reports. The items were taken from archaeological sites in northern Italy and in the eastern Italian region of Apulia and found in the possession of unnamed, married, Basel-based art dealers.

Italy conducted an 18-month investigation into antiquities smuggling, resulting in a tip to Swiss police that led to the seizure of the ancient artifacts. Italy has since been engaged in a seven-year legal battle, which has finally resulted in a victory in Swiss courts and the return of the pieces.

"This is a vast haul on a dramatic scale that would have saturated the market if they had been sold," said Guido Lassau, a Swiss archaeologist who worked on the case. The antiquities include Greek-style vases and kraters, large wine vessels, and a ceramic mark modeled on a woman's face.

The husband has been charged in Italy with exporting cultural antiquities illegally, handling stolen goods, and belonging to a criminal organization. The wife could face prosecution in Switzerland for handling stolen goods.