After an extensive eight-year investigation, 30 luxury cars stolen and illegally exported to Thailand have been returned to the UK, according to the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).
In total, 35 high-end vehicles, including Range Rovers, Porsches, Mercedes, BMWs, and Lamborghinis, with a combined value of £6.5 million, were fraudulently obtained on finance contracts from dealerships across England in 2016 and 2017 and subsequently smuggled to Thailand.
Led by NaVCIS with support from the Metropolitan Police, the National Crime Agency (NCA), and both British and Thai embassies, the investigation resulted in multiple arrests and the tracking down of 30 of the stolen cars, which were seized in Bangkok.
The cars have since been shipped back to the UK, arriving at Southampton and are now stored in a nearby warehouse pending their return to the original dealerships.
Sharon Naughton, head of NaVCIS, affirmed the agency’s commitment to combatting organised vehicle theft. “We will not rest until every avenue of investigation has been exhausted.
There is no time limit on our efforts to disrupt criminality and recover assets taken by illegal means,” she said.
Jenny Simms, vehicle crime lead at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, emphasised the significance of the investigation for victims, noting the considerable impact such thefts have.
“The tireless work involved in this investigation reflects our serious commitment to tackling vehicle crime,” she stated.
The NCA reported that thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with the case, underscoring the UK’s commitment to pursuing and prosecuting high-level organised crime in collaboration with international partners.
