Sophisticated thieves are targeting equipment found on Irish farms to sell on the Russian black market amid a shortage of machinery due to sanctions introduced since the war in Ukraine.
Each year, thieves target farm equipment and machinery such as quad bikes and ATVs, amounting up to €1.8million, with gardaí receiving reports of thefts from Limerick, Cork, Carlow, Kildare and Tipperary in recent months, the Irish Independent reports.
Gardaí believe Irish gangs are deliberately targeting contractors by monitoring the times they come in and out of yards, with drones being used to survey land before thefts, after which the stolen equipment is sold to Russia through the black market.
