Seven men from Greater Manchester have been sentenced for their involvement in a sophisticated international car theft ring. This gang was responsible for stealing up to 100 luxury vehicles valued at approximately £3 million, which were subsequently sold in the Middle East as part of a vast “chop shop” operation.
Detective Chief Inspector Roger Smethurst of Greater Manchester Police described the gang as the “most organized group of criminals we’ve encountered,” noting that they could steal cars in mere seconds in some instances. The recent convictions follow earlier sentences handed down to seven other members of the gang in 2022, including Asif Hussain, the Bolton man identified as the ringleader.
Shewaz Rehman, 29, from Oldham, received a sentence of four years and nine months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods, while Imran Taj, 43, also from Oldham, was sentenced to four years for the same offense. The gang’s activities included threats of violence, with one incident involving a threat to kill a victim with a hammer during a car theft.
“Car theft has a significant impact on people’s lives,” emphasized DCI Smethurst, highlighting the emotional and financial repercussions of such crimes on victims.