Arunachal: Itanagar Police bust inter-state vehicle theft racket; 57 luxury cars recovered

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: In a significant crackdown on organised crime, the Itanagar Capital Police have dismantled a major inter-state vehicle theft and smuggling racket, recovering 57 high-end stolen vehicles valued at over Rs 30.5 crore and arresting five key accused.

Capital Superintendent of Police (SP) Jummar Basar while addressing reporters here, detailed the scope, method, and implications of the ongoing investigation. According to Basar, the police registered a suo-motu FIR after receiving credible intelligence inputs about a sophisticated vehicle smuggling network operating across multiple states.

Acting swiftly, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, led by SDPO Kengo Dirchi as the investigating officer, including Itanagar police station officer-in-charge Inspector K Yangfo, sub inspectors P Padam, S Samuel and others, the SP said.

“The operation commenced on July 2 and led to the recovery of 57 stolen vehicles from various parts of the Itanagar Capital Region. All the vehicles, mostly luxury and high-end models, were verified through the e-Sakshya portal and found to be linked to theft cases registered in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states,” Basar said adding, this is the largest single recovery of stolen vehicles by a police station in India till date.

The SP explained that the gang primarily targeted expensive cars in Delhi-NCR and adjoining states. After stealing the vehicles, the criminals partnered with brokers who tampered with engine and chassis numbers, created forged registration papers, and facilitated the vehicles’ transport to Arunachal Pradesh. Once in the state, the cars were sold to unsuspecting buyers at prices well below market value. Preliminary investigations have revealed the possibility of international connections to the racket, the SP disclosed.

Basar added that certain digital financial trails and patterns in cross-border movement suggest the involvement of foreign handlers or transactions.

“This angle is currently under detailed investigation, and the police are working to trace the money flow and potential overseas links,” he said.

Efforts are continuing to locate and apprehend the remaining members of the network, some of whom are believed to be operating outside the state.

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