An international-based crime syndicate allegedly stole dozens of Toyotas – including LandCruisers and Prados – from Brisbane with the intention of sending them to the United Arab Emirates in shipping containers.
Queensland police announced on Wednesday that seven men had been charged with more than 300 offences.
After an increase in car thefts in the Brisbane region, detectives and the major and organised crime squad Brisbane (MOCSB) established an incident centre supported by the Australian federal police and the border force.
Police claim that in October, a group of foreign nationals flew into Brisbane and began an organised operation to steal specific Toyota models.
Between 20 October and 1 December, the syndicate stole 60 cars across the Brisbane region and sent shipping containers with whole vehicles to the UAE for profit, police alleged.
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On 2 December, two LandCruisers that had allegedly been stolen were seen being brought into a wrecking yard in Brisbane’s south.
A crime scene was declared and police found a shipping container that allegedly contained the two cars hidden behind a facade of disassembled vehicle parts.
Over the following weeks, another six shipping containers were located across Brisbane and Melbourne containing more cars. In total, police have recovered 15 of the allegedly stolen vehicles.
Seven men, aged between 28 and 45, have been charged with offences related to the thefts, including stealing and attempted stealing.
They are due to separately appear in Brisbane magistrates court on 12, 14 and 27 January.
Police said the syndicate poses no ongoing threat.
South Brisbane district Det Insp Paul Dalton said investigators had worked around the clock for the past two months to identify and apprehend the alleged offenders.
“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,” he 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.”
