Ashraf Omar Eldarir has been sentenced to six months in prison for smuggling Egyptian antiquities into the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport. The sentencing took place in federal court in Brooklyn, presided over by United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner. Eldarir pleaded guilty in February 2025 to four counts of smuggling.
Authorities recovered more than 600 Egyptian artifacts during the investigation into Eldarir’s activities. According to court documents, Eldarir trafficked ancient Egyptian artifacts on at least four occasions between April 2019 and January 22, 2020. He used fake provenances—documents meant to show the ownership history of an artifact—to sell these items at auction houses within the United States.
On January 22, 2020, upon arriving from Egypt at JFK Airport, Eldarir falsely declared his goods as being worth only $300. Customs officers discovered three suitcases containing a total of 590 artifacts wrapped in bubble and foam packaging. When unwrapped, sand and dirt fell out, suggesting recent excavation. Among the seized items were gold amulets from a funerary set and wooden tomb model figures with linen garments dating back to approximately 1900 BCE. Investigators also found materials used to create fake documentation for these objects.
Following his arrest at JFK Airport, law enforcement recovered additional illegally imported artifacts that have since been forfeited along with those seized during his arrest.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of Homeland Security Investigations New York (HSI), and Francis J. Russo, Director of Field Operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection New York Field Office (CBP), announced the sentencing.
“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,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Those who steal cultural treasures of other countries and smuggle them into the United States should know that they will be held accountable for their crimes. We commend our HSI and CBP partners for their diligent and important work in this case and look forward to repatriating to Egypt the recovered antiquities.”
“Safeguarding cultural heritage is an often-overlooked yet important aspect of border security, as smugglers frequently exploit similar vulnerabilities to transport stolen artifacts and other illicit goods,” stated CBP Director of Field Operations Russo. “In this case, the profit-driven defendant lied during border inspection to conceal priceless antiquities, but the vigilance of CBP officers uncovered the truth. Every day, our officers work tirelessly to protect both our security and the cultural heritage of nations worldwide, and while doing so, uncover other sophisticated smuggling plots. Strong partnerships with agencies like HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are critical to this mission, and CBP remains committed to preserving history while enforcing the law.”
The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Nomi Berenson with support from Paralegal Specialist Amara Padilla; Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura D. Mantell managed asset forfeiture matters.
Eldarir is a resident of Brooklyn, NY.
