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.
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Reports from farmers reference an increase in stolen quad bikes, ATVs and even livestock in the last year, with border counties noting a spike in ATV and quad bike thefts, in particular.
Gardaí have warned farmers across the country to be vigilant of potential thieves, especially those monitoring contractors.
They warned that sophisticated Irish criminal gangs are stealing valuable GPS equipment from farmers and contractors during the night, with 11 such thefts on three farms in north Cork reported.
Gardaí fear that the value of these items will increase as farmers in Russia are unable to procure the equipment legally due to sanctions imposed on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine last year.
They have asked all farmers and contractors to be wary of drones and not to leave valuable GPS equipment out that could potentially be stolen by bad actors.
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