‘Tomb Raider’ Smuggler Sentenced for Stealing Egyptian Artifacts

Florida Express

August 29, 2025

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Ashraf Omar Eldarir, a 52-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Egypt, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for smuggling ancient artifacts. Prosecutors revealed that he had been collaborating with tomb raiders in Egypt to sell hundreds of looted relics, including sculptures dating back to 1900 BCE and a carving from a royal temple. […]

Ashraf Omar Eldarir, a 52-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Egypt, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for smuggling ancient artifacts. Prosecutors revealed that he had been collaborating with tomb raiders in Egypt to sell hundreds of looted relics, including sculptures dating back to 1900 BCE and a carving from a royal temple. His downfall began in February 2020 when he was intercepted at JFK Airport with nearly 600 artifacts in three suitcases, still smelling of soil, indicating they had just been unearthed.

Eldarir pleaded guilty to four counts of smuggling, and although he faced financial difficulties due to the seizure of his assets by Egyptian authorities, the court noted the organized nature of his crime. Evidence suggested he had been importing and selling approximately 500 antiquities over eight years, earning over $600,000, using fraudulent provenance documents to disguise their origin. He had consigned artifacts to well-known auction houses in New York City, utilizing photo editing software to create fake documentation.

In court, Eldarir expressed remorse, asking for forgiveness from his family. U.S. Attorney William Campos emphasized that this was not a minor crime but a part of broader antiquities trafficking issues. The case aligns with ongoing efforts by authorities to safeguard cultural heritage amid rising incidents of smuggling, with Customs and Border Protection regularly recovering stolen artifacts. Critics argue that the sale of ancient artifacts encourages looting and advocate for their restitution to originating countries, underscoring the cultural loss associated with such crimes.

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