Stolen luxury cars found in Thailand return to UK

Thirty high-value stolen cars that were exported to Thailand have been returned to the UK after a seven-year police investigation.

The vehicles, originally worth more than £6m, were stolen by fraudsters in 2016 and 2017, the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) said.

The cars included a Lamborghini Huracán Spyder and were found in showrooms and industrial estates in Bangkok, according to Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

Head of NaVCIS Sharon Naughton said she was pleased the cars could finally be returned to their rightful owners.

She said the Lamborghini had been stolen seven years ago from a businessman who hired out luxury cars and "couldn't be more pleased" to have it back.

Many of the cars belonged to finance companies, she added.

The vehicles were acquired through hire-purchase agreements, before being air freighted with false papers to Singapore and shipped to Thailand, DSI said.

Raids at nine locations in Bangkok uncovered eight Mercedes Benz vehicles, five BMW M4s, five Porsches and other expensive models, the department added.

Charges had been brought against 13 people including the alleged gang leader, DSI said.

Five stolen cars had not yet been traced, it added.

NaVCIS is an industry-funded police unit hosted by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Ms Naughton said: "Today is a good day to demonstrate how NaVCIS can dedicate resources and expertise to tackling vehicle crime."

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