RECOVERY - PERUVIAN BACKFLAP
The illicit trade in
art and cultural artifacts has increased dramatically
in recent years, including pillaging archeological
sites and illegally exporting objects protected by
international laws. Here's an FBI investigation that
involves both areas.
Grave robbers
The story actually began
back in 1987 in northern Peru, where the ruins of
the Moche (pronounced mo-chay) civilization, which
flourished from about 100 B.C. to 700 A.D., were being
studied by archeologists. Unfortunately, thieves broke
into the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan, getting
away with unbelievable treasures. (In terms of its
archeological importance, the tomb of the Lord of
Sipan is often compared to the more well-known King
Tutankhaman's tomb in Egypt -- it's even referred
to as the "King Tut of the New World").
One of the most valuable
artifacts stolen from the royal tomb in Sipan was
an extremely rare Moche backflap, part of the royal
costuming worn by elite members of the Moche civilization.
A backflap weighs about 2.5 pounds and is made of
gold, copper, and silver. Moche warrior-priests would
wear the backflap as armor during battle to shield
their backsides.
This particular backflap,
however, could not protect itself from the unscrupulous
grip of thieves when it was taken from its resting
place in the royal tomb.
Let's make a deal
Ten years later, in August
1997, black market smugglers Denis Garcia and Orlando
Mendez, both of Miami, were looking for a buyer for
a rare Peruvian artifact - a gold backflap. Garcia
contacted an art brokerage firm in New York to see
if he could arrange a sale. But, unbeknownst to him,
the company was part of an FBI undercover operation
targeting art theft, and he was referred to undercover
FBI Agent who posed as an art broker.
The undercover agent
contacted Garcia, who described the item for sale
and recounted the story of his association with the
backflap. Garcia claimed that the artifact was acquired
by a former President of Peru during one of his visits
to the Sipan region. After leaving office, the President
gave the artifact to an uncle -- who was willing to
sell it to Garcia.
The agent wanted proof
of Garcia's claim and instructed him to send photos
of the backflap. Garcia did as he was told -- his
package contained a number of photos of the backflap,
along with two editions of a National Geographic magazine
which had a story about the backflap's origins. Feeling
sure he had a buyer, Garcia added his selling price
-- a cool $1.6 million.
Garcia gave the "art
broker" a few days to contemplate the offer before
calling him back and arranging a face-to-face meeting.
This meeting took place on September 5, 1997, at a
rest stop. Garcia brought his partner Orlando Mendez
with him -- he claimed Mendez was his son-in-law who
spoke much better English and knew more about art.
The undercover agent brought along someone too, another
FBI Special Agent, whom he introduced as his assistant
who spoke Spanish very well, so they could do business
without any complications.
Garcia, who didn't have
the backflap with him, said it was enroute to New
York from Peru and he had to make arrangements with
his contact "Frank," an employee of the
Panamanian Consulate in New York. A deal was made
to contact the agent when it was ready for delivery.
So, while Garcia and
Mendez made their arrangements, the FBI agents were
making their own arrangements: how the takedown would
be executed when the appropriate time came.
Takedown catches surprise
culprit
Nearly four weeks later,
on October 2nd, Mendez called the agent to say the
backflap was in New York and they were ready to do
business. He first instructed the agent to get a cashier's
check for $60,000 as a down payment in the name of
Francisco Iglesias, but then quickly changed his mind
and said to write the check out to the Mid Steel Corporation.
They arranged to meet on October 7th at the same rest
stop.
The FBI agents arrived
first. Then, a black limo bearing diplomatic tags
pulled up - it was Garcia, Mendez, and "Frank,"
aka Francisco Iglesias, who introduced himself as
Consul General of Panama and presented his business
card. Garcia got the backflap out of the trunk of
the car. The agent told the group he wanted an art
expert to authenticate the item.
Francisco Iglesias
Upon reaching their destination,
the FBI agents pulled into a hotel parking lot. Garcia
opened the trunk again, revealing the artifact. At
that point, several FBI agents and detectives from
a local police department surrounded the group and
arrested the trio. Consul General Iglesias was released.
He returned to New York, then went on a "vacation"
to Panama and has never returned.
Epilogue
Garcia and Mendez were
charged with -- and eventually pled guilty to -- conspiracy,
interstate transportation of stolen property, and
smuggling. In June 1998, Francisco Iglesias was indicted
on the same charges by a federal grand jury -- he
allegedly conspired to smuggle the backflap using
his diplomatic status as a way to sidestep U.S. Customs
on entering the U.S. Iglesias is still a fugitive
believed to be in Panama.
And what of the much
sought-after backflap? In July 1998, it was turned
over to the grateful Peruvian Government in an official
ceremony. It was placed in an archeological museum
for a special 30-day exhibit approved by the President
of Peru. It's now back in Peru, where it will hopefully
rest safely for the next 2,000 years.
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