Part 12/15:
Specialized agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in the United States play a crucial role. They coordinate with local authorities, museums, and private collectors to identify and recover stolen artifacts. In the case of Cambodia, investigations have pinpointed dozens of U.S. museums and private collections harboring objects smuggled by Latchford and his network.
In one instance, investigators confronted a private collector in New York with evidence linking a piece to a Cambodian temple. Confronted with irrefutable proof, the collector chose to relinquish the artifact voluntarily. Such successes highlight the importance of cooperation and the growing global commitment to repatriation.