D.A. Bragg Announces Return Of Three Antiquities To The People Of Mexico

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the return of three antiquities collectively valued at more than $160,000 to the people of Mexico. The antiquities were recovered pursuant to multiple criminal investigations into antiquities trafficking networks, including an investigation that resulted in the conviction of trafficker Eugene Alexander. Two of the objects were seized from the Metropolitan Museum of Art ("Met"). These works of art were repatriated by this Office at a ceremony with Consul General Marcos Bucio Mújica, representing the Government of Mexico. This marks this Office's sixth repatriation to the People of Mexico totaling 52 antiquities valued at more than $13 million.

"I am pleased that we have now been able to return more than 50 antiquities back to Mexico. We believe that the trafficking networks we have identified are responsible for other pieces looted throughout Mexico, and our work continues," said District Attorney Bragg.

"The Government of Mexico extends its deepest gratitude to District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Matthew Bogdanos, and the outstanding Antiquities Trafficking Unit for their unwavering commitment to protecting the world's cultural heritage. The return of these three archaeological objects marks yet another milestone in an extraordinary partnership that, over the years, has also played a vital role in reconstructing the cultural identity of our nation. The Antiquities Trafficking Unit has been an indispensable and trusted ally in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. These efforts are fully aligned with the Government of President Claudia Sheinbaum's steadfast commitment to defending Mexico's cultural sovereignty, ensuring that the heritage of our ancestors is preserved and returned to its rightful place for the benefit of present and future generations," said Consul General Marcos Bucio Mújica.

The three cultural treasures repatriated today were:

• A Standing Male Figure, in the Nayarit style, is a shaft-tomb sculpture dating to the Late Formative/Early Classic Period, ca. 100-400 C.E. The figure was sold by the New York-based Merrin Gallery and subsequently donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Standing Male Figure remained in the Met's collection until it was seized by this Office earlier this year.
• The Xochipala Bowl, dating to ca. 1200-900 B.C.E., is an early stone vessel produced in the Xochipala style of ancient Mesoamerica. The bowl first appeared at Merrin Gallery in New York before it was seized by this Office in December 2025.
• The Aztec Obsidian Micro-Blade Core, dating to ca. 1000-1500 C.E., is a rare stone core used in the production of razor-sharp obsidian blades, an essential technology of the Aztec world. First appearing with Eugene Alexander, who was convicted in 2025 of antiquities trafficking in Manhattan, the blade was seized by this Office in 2025.

This Office's Antiquities Trafficking Unit has now obtained convictions of 18 individuals of cultural-property-related crimes; recovered almost 6,400 cultural treasures, including rare books, works of art, and antiquities, valued at more than $490 million; and returned more than 6,000 of those so far to 38 countries. The extradition of another 7 alleged traffickers is pending.

The investigations were conducted by Chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Matthew Bogdanos along with Investigative Analysts Giuditta Giardini and Hilary Chasse; District Attorney Investigator John Paul Labbat; and former Investigative Analysts Michael Chapin and Charlotte Looram. The Office would like to thank Margaret MacLean for her assistance.

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