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As reported by Drive, police have just returned a batch of sports and luxury cars to the UK after an eight-year-long joint investigation between British and Thai authorities. A total of 30 vehicles, worth an estimated £6.5 million (approximately $8.4 million), were involved in a theft and fraud scheme, transported over 10,000 km from the UK to Thailand.
Among the recovered vehicles were a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, valued at £220,000 (approx. $284,395), as well as sports cars such as the BMW M4, Porsche Boxster, and Nissan GT-R.
The theft also included a Range Rover Sport luxury SUV, several Mercedes-Benz models, and a convertible Ford Mustang.
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The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) stated that these vehicles were stolen from high-end car rental services and dealerships across the UK in 2016 and 2017.
Drive quoted police sources alleging that the UK was targeted by the criminal gang because it shares a right-hand drive configuration with Thailand, the chosen destination for the stolen vehicles.
Once in Thailand, the cars were transported by sea and air and displayed at car dealerships.
Thai police believe that the luxury cars were sold to unsuspecting customers who were unaware of their illicit origins.
Operation Titanium was launched after a shipping container inspection at Southampton Port in the UK revealed four stolen Mercedes-Benz vehicles, leading to a broader investigation.
Law enforcement officials stated that upon arrival in Thailand, the vehicles were deliberately undervalued to avoid incurring high special consumption taxes.
Previously, 16 individuals in the UK were convicted of stealing luxury vehicles worth £2 million (approx. $2.6 million) using fraudulent documents, resulting in prison sentences ranging from 13 months to nearly five years.
In June, an organized crime group in Australia was dismantled by New South Wales police, leading to the recovery of $2 million in cash and several rare automobiles and motorcycles.
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