Art and antiquity theft and looting of archaeological sites have become frequent events the world over. No country is safe from the growing organized criminal activities related to antiquarian objects. According to one estimate, for fine arts alone, an estimated US$ 4.5 billion of stolen objects wind up annually in the international market. In 1994, the United Nations (UN) assessed the prevalence and extent of this transnational crime as a part of the fourth UN survey of crime trends and operation of the criminal justice system. Among 18 categories of transnational crime, that it identified, theft of art and cultural objects is one.

While there is evidence that connect the trade in looted antiquities with organized crime, a recent disclosure by the British security establishment indicated that there is a possible link between the removal and transport of cultural objects and the funding of terrorism. Two incidents which are of prime importance among others were â€â€