Canada, Italy, Turkey, Libya
Dozens of stolen vehicles originally from the greater Toronto area, have just been discovered and recovered in an international police operation.
The collaboration involved York Regional Police Services (near Toronto), the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Italian National Police.
Italian police in Gioia Tauro open a container with allegedly stolen vehicles ( Polizia di Stato-Twitter)
The investigation began in April when the CBSA contacted York police about a fraud investigation involving an expensive vehicle. It was quickly discovered that York police were involved in an auto finance fraud investigation including the same 2018 Audi Q7 sport utility type vehicle (SUV).
40 high end vehicles seized- possibly 100
This led to investigation of several other dubious transactions and vehicles destined to be shipped overseas, or already on their way.
With cooperation from Italian police, some 30 vehicles were found in shipping containers at stopover ports in Salerno and Gioia Tauro. The final destinations were apparently to be Libya and Turkey. The CBSA investigation also intercepted ten other vehicles in Canada before they could be shipped overseas.
Italian police In Gioia Tauro verifying one of the luxury vehicles under investigation ( Polizia di Stato-Twitter)
The approximate value of the 40 vehicles is estimated by Canadian reports at around $1.8 million, although an Italian news report puts the value of just the 30 vehicles seized there at over !.5 million Euros (approx C$ 2.2 million)
The police agencies involved are also working with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to have the vehicles returned to Canada and all to be returned to their owners.
The vehicles intercepted include Audi, Mercedes, Bmw, Ford pickups, Land Rover and a variety of other mid rnage vehicles apparently dstined for resale in N.Africa and Turkey ( Polizia di Stato- Twitter)
Earlier this month a search warrant was executed at a Toronto business where police say further evidence and other vehicles were found that are being studied as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to Al Arabiya News, the Italian police searched 25 containers on four different cargo ships using special scanners and then comparing the contents to shipping documents
Other vehicles under investigation were found in Canada ( York Region Police Services)
An Italian news report says the vehicles so far recovered had been shipped from Montreal. It also indicated that the 30 vehicles discovered so far were among 100 vehicles Italian police have intercepted at Gioia Tauro.
additional information-sources
- York Region Police Services: Jun 17/20: Vehicle investigation statement
- Canadian Press-CP24: K Goodfield: Jun 17/20: Dozens of vehicles stolen throughout the GTA seized by Italian police, CBSA
- ANSA-Cronaca: jun 13/20: Sventato traffico auto di lusso rubate
- Al Arabiya: Jun 13/20: Italy seizes shipment of luxury vehicles stolen from Canada
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