The Shocking Theft of Ancient Treasures Worth Billions

Summary

Jonathan Tokeley Perry, a former cavalryman and antiquities restorer, orchestrated a daring antiquities smuggling operation in the 1990s, amassing over 3,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts. Utilizing his skills to disguise the treasures as cheap souvenirs, Perry managed to evade law enforcement and customs officers with the help of a corrupt network within Egypt. His operation involved intricate forgery and deception, including altering artifacts and creating false provenance documents. Perry's downfall came with the execution of Operation Bullish, leading to his arrest and conviction in England, while his accomplices faced sentences in Egypt. Despite the legal repercussions, Perry remains unrepentant, believing his actions preserved historical treasures. His story is a testament to the cunning and audacity of one of the most elaborate antiquities smuggling operations ever documented.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Jonathan Tokley Perry, a former cavalryman and Cambridge graduate, became a notorious antiquities smuggler, known for his cunning and skill in evading law enforcement.
• 🔍 Perry's operation involved a complex scheme of smuggling ancient Egyptian treasures, using methods such as reconstructing artifacts to disguise them as cheap souvenirs to pass inspections.
• 🛠️ He employed forgery and deception, including creating fake receipts and altering artifacts to remove telltale signs of their antiquity, to sell them as legitimate pieces.
• 🤝 Perry collaborated with an Egyptian family of traders and a New York dealer named Frederick Schultz, who played a significant role in the antiquities market and was later convicted for his involvement.
• 💰 The smuggled artifacts were sold for substantial profits, with one piece, the 'Otep the Third Stone head', fetching $1.2 million at auction.
• 🚨 Perry's operation was eventually exposed by Operation Bullish, a law enforcement effort that led to his arrest and the discovery of his smuggling network.
• 📚 Documentation and artifacts found at Perry's home, including false doors from a tomb and scholarly documents, revealed his knowledge of the origins of the items he smuggled.
• 🇪🇬 Despite Egypt's laws against the export of cultural heritage, Perry argued that he was preserving history by selling artifacts to wealthy collectors where they would be better cared for.
• 🤝 Ali Farak, a key figure in the Egyptian smuggling network, was involved in the trade of stolen artifacts and was convicted along with Perry and others for their roles in the smuggling operation.
• 📉 The legal consequences for those involved were severe, with Perry serving three years of a six-year sentence and Schultz receiving a 33-month jail sentence and a $50,000 fine.
• 📚 Perry, now living in Sandwich, England, has no regrets and is writing his autobiography, with plans to possibly return to University College London to complete his doctorate in ethics.

Q & A

Who is Jonathan Tokley Perry and what is his background?

Jonathan Tokley Perry is a 72-year-old Englishman from Winch Barnstable in Devon. He was a cavalryman in the military and holds a degree in moral sciences and philosophy from the University of Cambridge, as well as an incomplete doctorate from the University College in London. He worked as an antiquities restorer in London before moving to Egypt and becoming involved in smuggling operations.

How did Jonathan Tokley Perry manage to smuggle ancient Egyptian treasures without being detected?

Tokley Perry employed a complex method involving the reconstruction of artifacts to make them appear as cheap souvenirs, which could pass through inspections undetected. He also forged receipts to further authenticate the items as mere souvenirs. His operations were sophisticated, requiring skills of forgery, deception, and lying.

What was the role of Frederick Schultz in Jonathan Tokley Perry's smuggling operations?

Frederick Schultz was a New York dealer who played a pivotal role in the antiquities industry. He provided financial backing for Perry's operations, purchasing artifacts from him which he then resold from his gallery in Midtown Manhattan. Schultz was also involved in efforts to make recently stolen antiquities appear as part of an antique English collection.

How did the authorities eventually apprehend Jonathan Tokley Perry?

Operation Bullish, led by the authorities, resulted in the end of Perry's smuggling operation. His home was raided, revealing incriminating documents, forgeries, and antiquities. The investigation also traced his accomplices and collaborators in Egypt, England, and Switzerland.

What was the fate of the smuggled antiquities and the individuals involved in the smuggling operation?

The smuggled antiquities, such as the PAC Inon steel, were eventually auctioned off, bringing in significant profits before legal repercussions led to jail time for those involved. Perry served three years of a six-year prison sentence in England, while his accomplices were also convicted and sentenced to hard labor. Some artifacts, like the PAC Inon steel, were later returned to Egypt.

What was the legal argument put forth by Jonathan Tokley Perry in his defense?

Tokley Perry argued that he was preserving the Egyptian heritage by selling the artifacts to wealthy collectors where they would be better taken care of. He claimed that Egypt itself was the greatest threat to its antiquities and that by removing the artifacts from the country, he was actually preserving them.

How did the smuggling operation exploit the system to make the artifacts appear legitimate?

The operation used a variety of methods to legitimize the stolen artifacts. They reconstructed the artifacts to make them appear as common souvenirs, forged receipts to show they were purchased as such, and used connections to manipulate documentation, making the artifacts appear as if they were part of an antique English collection.

What was the significance of the 'free port' system in Switzerland in the context of the smuggling operation?

The 'free port' system in Switzerland, known for its commercial discretion, played a crucial role in the smuggling operation. It allowed for the artifacts to be processed and stored without raising suspicion, and facilitated their movement across international borders.

What was the role of Ali Farak and his brothers in the smuggling network?

Ali Farak and his brothers were heavily involved in the trade of stolen artifacts and operated one of the largest smuggling networks in Egypt during the 1990s. They were instrumental in sourcing and moving the artifacts, often negotiating with builders and others who discovered archaeological finds.

How did the corruption within the Egyptian government and among bureaucrats facilitate the smuggling operation?

The corruption within the Egyptian government and among bureaucrats created a friendly environment for smuggling operations. It allowed for the manipulation of documentation, the movement of artifacts through official channels, and the avoidance of legal repercussions, thus facilitating the growth of the smuggling network.

What were the methods used by Jonathan Tokley Perry to alter the appearance of the stolen artifacts?

Jonathan Tokley Perry used a method of reconstructing the artifacts by adding missing parts, dipping them in liquid plastic, painting them with bright colors, and distorting the writings to make them appear as cheap souvenirs. He also sometimes wrote 'Made in Egypt' on the items to further deceive inspectors.