UK & Thai Police Recover 35 Stolen Luxury Cars Worth Nearly RM35 Million

A joint operation by UK and Thai law enforcement entities saw the recovery of 35 luxury and high-end cars in Bangkok. (Image: NaVCIS)

No less than 35 stolen cars exported to neighbouring Thailand were recently recovered and returned to their owners in the UK. This was the result of a seven-year long investigation led by UK police, and it also saw the arrest of 13 individuals.

With a collective value totalling at roughly US$8 million (approx. RM34.89 million), these vehicles were initially stolen by a syndicate as far back as 2016 and 2017, said the UK’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) to the BBC.

The marques and model types of cars recovered were fairly high end and included several notable supercars and performance cars. Amongst them were a Lamborghini Huracán Spyder, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, Ford Mustang Convertible, Honda Civic Type R, several Nissan GT-R units, as well as various BMW and Mercedes-Benz models too.

All were recovered in a massive raid conducted by Thai police’s Department of Special Investigations (DSI) at no less than nine locations across the Thai capital of Bangkok. The bulk of the cars recovered were found in both showrooms and industrial estates, adds the BBC.

Several performance cars were also recovered in raids conducted by Thai police's DSI in and around Bangkok. (Images: DSI)

The bulk of the cars recovered can now be returned to their rightful owners, says NaVCIS. (Image: nAvCIS)

The vehicles were acquired through hire-purchase agreements before being air-freighted using false papers to Singapore and later shipped to Thailand. The raid also saw authorities detain and charge 13 individuals including one believed to be the ringleader of this syndicate.

Speaking with the BBC, NaVCIS head Sharon Haughton said she was pleased that these case could finally be returned to their rightful owners, many of which actually belonged to finance companies, added Naughton further.

Moreover, cars like the Lamborghini mentioned actually belonged to a private vehicle hire company which nearly folded due to the car’s loss, said NaVCIS. Said owners “couldn’t be more pleased to have said stolen supercar recovered and returned.

Source: BBC