Police in northern Greece say they have arrested two men, including a museum employee, for allegedly trying to sell dozens of illegally excavated antiquities.

Thessaloniki police say the Greek suspects negotiated the sale of the artifacts — together with more than 20 modern fakes — to an undercover officer for euro400,000 (US$550,000).

They said in a statement Tuesday that officers confiscated more than 100 genuine ancient and medieval items. These included bronze clothing ornaments, a silver bracelet, earrings decorated with snakes' heads, a bronze lamp and an iron lance-head.

The suspects were arrested near Thessaloniki Monday. Police say one suspect worked at an archaeological museum in northern Greece.

By law, all antiquities in Greece are state property.