ASHRAF OMAR ELDARIR, a Brooklyn resident, was sentenced today to six months in federal prison for smuggling over 600 Egyptian artifacts into the United States, authorities announced. Eldarir’s brazen operation saw him transport ancient treasures through John F. Kennedy International Airport, where he falsely declared his goods’ value to customs.
The investigation, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), led to the recovery of the stolen artifacts, which included gold amulets and wooden tomb model figures dating back to 1900 BCE. Eldarir had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to four counts of smuggling.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. emphasized that those who steal cultural treasures from other countries will be held accountable for their crimes, praising the work of HSI and CBP in this case. CBP Director Francis Russo highlighted the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage as part of border security efforts.
Eldarir’s indictment detailed his role as a prolific trafficker of ancient Egyptian artifacts, smuggling them into the country at least four times from 2019 to 2020 using fake provenances. His arrest at JFK Airport revealed his elaborate scheme to fabricate documentation for stolen items.
Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Nomi Berenson led the prosecution, with Paralegal Specialist Amara Padilla providing support. Laura D. Mantell of the Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters. Eldarir, 52, faces a lengthy prison term for his criminal activities.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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