Police slam door on international car theft syndicate
Laine Clark |
Dozens of Toyotas have been stolen and shipped overseas as part of a multi-million dollar heist by an international crime syndicate, police say.
Seven foreign nationals have been charged with almost 400 offences after police claimed they had busted the operation following a two-month probe.
The men are accused of flying into Queensland and targeting certain Toyota models that were stolen and shipped to the United Arab Emirates to be sold.
Overall 60 LandCruisers and Prados were stolen across the Brisbane region between October 20 and December 1, a haul reportedly worth about $8 million.
Footage has been released of police busting open a shipping container and finding vehicles inside.
Investigators moved quickly after two alleged stolen LandCruisers were seen entering a Rocklea wrecking yard in Brisbane’s south on December 2.
In an early morning raid, specialist police located a container with the two LandCruisers hidden behind vehicle parts.
In the following weeks 15 Toyotas were recovered from the Brisbane region and interstate.
Police claim stolen vehicles were found at the Rocklea wrecking yard as well as the Port of Brisbane and Port of Melbourne.
Seven men aged 28 to 45 – reportedly from Brasil, Fiji, Japan and Afghanistan – were charged and are set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court over the coming weeks.
Four of them were charged with 60 counts of stealing a vehicle, and six counts of attempted stealing of a vehicle.
“This was an extremely complex operation with a disciplined international syndicate allegedly targeting vehicles for personal gain,” Detective Acting Inspector Russell Joyce said.
Queensland Police said they would continue to work closely with Toyota Australia as part of the ongoing investigation.
“Offences of this nature are brazen and can cause significant disruption to our community’s feeling of safety and ability to travel to work, run errands, take children to school, or meet family and friends,” Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said.
“This investigation was a top priority for local detectives to prevent further harm, hold the alleged offenders to account, and provide answers for victims.”
AAP
