MIAMI, June 14 (UPI) -- Priceless Peruvian artifacts looted from ancient graves over several years have been returned to Peru in a handover ceremony in Miami.
"In the name of the people and the government of Peru," said Jorge Eduardo Roman Morey, Peru's consul general in Miami, "I want to express our deepest gratitude for the recovery of this Peruvian heritage."
Federal investigators arrested a Miami man two years ago, accused of selling the artifacts after illegally importing them. Ugo Bagnato allegedly bribed Peruvian officials to get the items out of the country.
The looters of the objects, however, have yet to be caught, The Miami Herald reported Thursday.
Among the items recovered were Andean pottery urns, burial shrouds, tunics and tapestries.
