US Returns Smuggled Artifacts to Egypt

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) returned dozens of smuggled ancient artifacts to the government of Egypt on Wednesday, April 22, at the National Geographic Society in Washingotn, D.C. The gesture, dubbed “Operation Mummy’s Curse”, is part of the ICE’s five-year investigation that targets a network of smugglers, importers, money launderer, etc. who illegally transported more than 7,000 items from around the world to the US.

Artifacts returned include a Greco-Roman style Egyptian sarcophagus, two Middle Kingdom wooden boat models and a series of finely carved limestone reliefs from an Egyptian temple.

This video records the preparations and features various Egyptian artifacts. Credit: National Geographic Society