LOS ANGELES — August 21, 2026
The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office returned 48 Egyptian cultural artifacts to representatives of the Egyptian government on Friday during an official repatriation ceremony attended by Ambassador Dr. Hossam Eldeen Aly, Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Los Angeles, and Patrick Grandy, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
An investigation conducted by the FBI’s Art Crime Team determined that all 48 objects had been illicitly trafficked from Egypt. Investigators found no documentation showing that the artifacts had ever been legally removed or exported from the country.
The recovered collection includes carved figurines, amulets, funerary objects and tomb equipment, along with other culturally significant items dating to Egypt’s Pharaonic, Roman and Coptic periods. Many of the artifacts are thousands of years old and carry immeasurable historical and cultural value.
Current possessor contacted the FBI
According to the FBI, the person most recently in possession of the collection voluntarily contacted federal authorities after researching the artifacts and discovering questions surrounding their entry into the United States.
The FBI’s Art Crime Team examined the objects and coordinated with Egyptian authorities, who confirmed that the items were authentic examples of Egyptian cultural property. No records were found indicating that they had been lawfully removed from Egypt.
The original suspected trafficker is now deceased. However, the investigation remains active as authorities seek to identify any possible co-conspirators and determine whether additional Egyptian artifacts connected to the case may still be located in the United States.
Egyptian Consul General welcomes the return
Ambassador Dr. Hossam Eldeen Aly thanked the United States government and the FBI for their efforts, describing the ceremony as a significant occasion marking the return of an important part of Egypt’s cultural heritage.
He emphasized that the artifacts are an integral part of the history and cultural identity of Egypt and its people, expressing Egypt’s honor and happiness at bringing them home.
Dr. Aly also praised the outstanding work of the FBI, noting that historical artifacts represent an invaluable source of heritage, culture and national pride.
FBI: Artifacts reflect Egypt’s rich history
Patrick Grandy said the objects represent Egypt’s rich and ancient history, noting that most are thousands of years old and hold cultural significance to the Egyptian people that cannot be measured in monetary terms.
He explained that the objects were located in the United States and now have a clear path back to Egypt through the appropriate diplomatic channels.
U.S.-Egypt cultural property agreement
The repatriation reflects continuing cooperation between Egypt and the United States in combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
In 2016, the two countries entered into a bilateral cultural property agreement restricting the importation into the United States of certain categories of Egyptian archaeological material.
The agreement created a framework through which both countries could identify, intercept and return trafficked cultural property while supporting the lawful exchange of cultural materials for educational, scientific and cultural purposes.
The original memorandum, signed on November 30, 2016, imposed U.S. import restrictions on archaeological materials representing Egypt’s cultural heritage, with the scope of cooperation later expanded.
More than 5,000 artifacts returned to Egypt
According to the FBI, U.S. law enforcement agencies have returned more than 5,000 cultural artifacts to Egypt over the past decade.
Some cultural-property investigations result in criminal prosecutions. In other cases, prosecution may no longer be possible because a suspect has died or the statute of limitations has expired. Regardless of whether criminal charges can be filed, recovered cultural objects may still be returned to the people and countries to which they rightfully belong.
FBI Art Crime Team
The FBI’s Art Crime Team was established in 2004 in response to the worldwide increase in crimes involving art and cultural property.
Its specially trained agents and experts are stationed throughout the United States, including two team members assigned to Los Angeles. Since its creation, the team has recovered more than 20,000 artistic, historical and cultural objects collectively valued at more than $1 billion.
The FBI also encourages collectors, dealers and prospective buyers to consult its National Stolen Art File before purchasing artworks or cultural objects to determine whether an item has been reported stolen.
