More than 160 stolen cars recovered in international police operation, Europol says
More than 160 stolen vehicles were recovered and 75 people arrested in a two-day operation, European police agency Europol said.
Vehicle crime experts from 20 EU countries gathered at Europol headquarters on September 11 and 12 to work on “Operation Cycar”, Europol said on Sepember 18.
“This successful operation resulted in 160 stolen vehicles being seized and 75 people arrested. Results are still being gathered so the final figures are expected to be even higher.”
Officers coordinating the case at Europol were working from state-of-the-art operations rooms supporting thousands of EU police, customs and border guards involved in “Operation Cycar”.
European law enforcement officers were working at borders, ports, car dealers, back-street workshops and scrap-yards, following up advertisements on the internet, investigating burglaries and robberies in which high value cars were stolen, and searching for the specialist criminal gangs that roam across Europe stealing high value vehicles.
The operation produced some excellent results in EU Member States, in particular:
- Italy: 21 stolen vehicles and motorbikes were identified and six people arrested. In addition, a criminal organisation was identified that operates between Italy and Senegal. In this respect, five illegal immigrants were arrested.
- Portugal: 66 stolen cars were identified and 31 suspects arrested. In addition, illegal drugs and weapons were found.
- Romania: 53 stolen vehicles were identified and confiscated, including commercial vehicles. In total, 15 suspects were arrested.
- Spain: Eight high-end luxury vehicles were identified, which were destined for export to Morocco.
The challenge for police, customs and border guard experts dealing with international vehicle crime is to get answers quickly and to speak to experts in partner countries that understand the tactics and tricks that disguise a stolen car and, if understood fully, can reveal its original identity, Europol said.
National experts gathered at Europol were supported by experts from Interpol and TISPOL (the European Traffic Police Network) and had access to a wide variety of databases to help establish whether or not a vehicle is stolen.
TISPOL colleagues from The Netherlands brought their special TDS (Traffic Dialog System) database of documents associated with vehicles – especially vehicles travelling across international borders or being imported or exported, Europol said. The Swedish expert provided expertise on the Volvo model range and German experts had access to special data on cars manufactured in Germany.
Operation Cycar is an initiative of Cyprus under its Presidency of the Council of the EU, and is supported by Europol, Interpol, TISPOL and Frontex targeting organised vehicle crime throughout the European Union.
(Photo: Michal Zacharzewski/sxc.hu)
