New York, a hub for illicit art trafficking

the met

A view of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, USA. PHOTO | ANGELA WEISS | AFP

From an ancient Middle Eastern limestone elephant to seventh century Chinese sculptures, New York prosecutors have seized hundreds of priceless artefacts looted from around the globe that have earned it the reputation as a key global hub for art trafficking.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is among major institutions and collectors who have been forced to hand over works that the city has returned to more than a dozen countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.