what does "spirited away " mean?
Park officials, scientists and the Congolese authorities now believe that the Ugandan military — one of the Pentagon’s closest partners in Africa — killed the 22 elephants from a helicopter and spirited away more than a million dollars’ worth of ivory.does it mean stole away?

Question

what does "spirited away " mean?
Park officials, scientists and the Congolese authorities now believe that the Ugandan military — one of the Pentagon’s closest partners in Africa — killed the 22 elephants from a helicopter and spirited away more than a million dollars’ worth of ivory.does it mean stole away?

Answer

If you spirt something away, you move it mysteriously or secretly, with nobody witnessing the act.

"A thief broke into the office and spirited away the plans for the new device."