ATHENS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Greek police recovered a Hellenistic-era marble statue of great archaeological value from antiquities smugglers, it was announced on Tuesday in Athens.

The statue which is believed is representing Hygeia, the goddess of health in ancient Greek archaeology, was among other ancient objects found in the possession of three Greeks who were arrested in the city of Sparta in southern Greece, Greek police spokeswoman Ioanna Rotziokou told a press briefing.

The statue dating back to the 1st-3rd century BC was 55 centimeters high and would be sold in Greece or abroad for a significant sum, authorities said, according to an e-mailed press release.

Greek police as well as public order ministry and culture ministry officials stressed that the recovery of the antiquities is a great success in Greece's battle against antiquities smuggling rings.