CBP and ICE seized this 3,000-year-old sarcophagus in 2008.
If you think you can get an illegally-obtained Egyptian sarcophagus through customs, think again.
This beautifully-decorated and well-preserved sarcophagus was seized by a Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialist in Miami in 2008. The specialist was concerned that the sarcophagus would require a permit to enter the country and referred the 3,000-year-old coffin to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the Trade Enforcement Team.
They investigated the sarcophagus’ history and determined it was indeed stolen property. ICE and CBP presented the sarcophagus to the people of Egypt Wednesday at a ceremony at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.
ICE and CBP returned the sarcophagus to the people of Egypt Wednesday.
Said CBP Assistant Commissioner Allen Gina at the National Geographic Society’s ceremony:
Through the facilitation and enforcement of U.S. trade laws, this artifact will provide the Egyptian people a key to their past.”
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