In federal court in Brooklyn, a chapter came to a close for Ashraf Omar Eldarir, who was sentenced to six months in prison for smuggling Egyptian antiquities into the United States. This sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Rachel P. Kovner, marking the endpoint of a case that brought over 600 Egyptian artifacts into the hands of justice, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. shed light on the severity of the crime, stating, "The defendant looted Egypt’s cultural treasures and lied to U.S. Customs about them as part of a web of deception he spun to illegally fill his pockets with cash." The convicted smuggler had previously pleaded guilty to four counts related to his smuggling activities in February 2025. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection had worked in tandem to unravel Eldarir's network and ensure his prosecution, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Eldarir's smuggling operations were exposed following an incident at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 22, 2020. As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office's press release, he arrived from Egypt and falsely declared only $300 worth of goods. Upon inspection, Customs officers discovered his suitcases overflowing with 590 artifacts, some still caked with the sand and dirt that betrayed their recent and illicit excavation.
Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge at HSI New York, stressed the importance of cultural heritage protection, a principle threatened by individuals such as Eldarir who aim to profit from historical plunder. Director of Field Operations at CBP, Francis J. Russo, explained that "smugglers frequently exploit similar vulnerabilities to transport stolen artifacts and other illicit goods." The coordinated efforts of these agencies have not only thwarted Eldarir's enterprise but will also allow for the repatriation of the recovered artifacts to Egypt, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Nomi Berenson, with Paralegal Specialist Amara Padilla, presented overwhelming evidence against Eldarir. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Mantell is handling the forfeiture, ensuring that the artifacts will eventually return to their rightful place, as historical testaments, rather than as pawns in the illegal antiquities market.
