Detroit Emerges as Hub for International Car Theft Rings Shipping Vehicles to Middle East
DETROIT, Mich. — A growing network of international organized crime groups has turned Detroit into a major source of stolen vehicles bound for the Middle East, alarming law enforcement officials who say juveniles are being recruited to fuel the thefts. Federal authorities recently indicted eight men connected to a sophisticated car theft and smuggling ring that funneled stolen vehicles from the Motor City to destinations including Iraq and Dubai.
According to a federal indictment filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, the suspects conspired to coordinate deliveries of stolen cars at commercial lots scattered across the Detroit metropolitan area. Prosecutors detailed how these vehicles were then packed into shipping containers and transported via freight or rail to nearby port cities before being shipped overseas.
“A lot of the cars were shipped to the Middle East,” Dearborn Police Corporal Daniel Bartok told Fox News, highlighting the international scale of the operation. The eight men charged include Haydar Al Haydari of Garden City, Karar Alnakash of Detroit, Abbas Al Othman of Dearborn Heights, Mohammed Al Hilo of Detroit, Moustapha Al Fetlawi of Dearborn Heights, Terrill Davis of Detroit, David Roshinsky Williams of Harper Woods, and Mohammed Al Abboodi of Detroit.
All face conspiracy and transportation of stolen vehicle charges. The operation exploited juveniles to carry out thefts, complicating efforts to stem the tide of stolen cars. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that the stolen vehicles were delivered to one of four commercial or industrial lots throughout the region before being shipped.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Detroit have recovered over 350 stolen vehicles linked to this and related operations. “Behind every one of those stolen cars is a victim,” said Matthew Stentz, acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Detroit. “Our special agents and law enforcement partners will continue to do the work necessary to take down these operations that harm everyday Americans.”
Vehicle theft in Michigan has surged in recent years. The Michigan Department of Attorney General reported 28,408 motor vehicle thefts in 2023, marking a 4.1% increase from previous years. This rise has strained local law enforcement and highlighted the need for coordinated federal intervention.
The Detroit Port Authority, a key transit point for these stolen vehicles, has become an unwitting conduit for international crime. The port’s proximity to major shipping lanes facilitates the export of stolen cars, making it a focal point for investigations.
Law enforcement agencies such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have intensified efforts to disrupt these networks. Their operations include surveillance of commercial lots, monitoring shipping containers, and interagency cooperation to trace stolen vehicles.
The rise in organized car theft rings reflects broader challenges in combating transnational crime. Experts warn that the involvement of juveniles not only complicates prosecution but also indicates how crime lords are adapting tactics to evade detection.
As federal prosecutors pursue charges against the eight men, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. The ongoing crackdown aims to dismantle these criminal enterprises and protect communities from the ripple effects of international vehicle theft.
For more information on vehicle theft prevention and law enforcement resources, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section websites.
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