Arrests after raids in link to £2m conspiracy
Three men have been arrested as detectives investigate thefts of more than 50 vehicles in £2million conspiracy.
Officers raided a number of properties in Sunderland and South Tyneside as part of the investigation into dozens of Land Rover and Range Rover thefts across the North East and discovered two cannabis farms.
It is believed that after stealing the vehicles, crime groups look to sell them onto fund other suspected criminality.
Since February 2019, officers have been alerted to more than 50 thefts of motor vehicles which are believed to be part of the £2million conspiracy.
On Thursday, police carried out dawn raids at four addresses - in Jarrow, New Herrington and West Boldon and a commercial premises in Sunderland that are believed to be associated with the conspiracy.
Three men – a 36-year-old and two 33-year-olds - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and taken into custody for questioning.
Officers also seized three suspected stolen vehicles, as well as dozens of phones, electronic devices and hard drives that will be used to assist the ongoing investigation.
Two cannabis farms were also found – one inside the business premises and one in a house – while registration plates, Land Rover parts and more than £2,000 in cash were also located in the various addresses.
Detective Inspector Phil Cleugh and Sergeant Dave Green, of Northumbria Police, coordinated the raids and say the activity will have put a “serious dent” in the pockets of crime groups operating across Northumbria.
“These warrants were a result of months of intelligence gathering as we look to build a clearer picture into this sophisticated conspiracy spanning the whole of Northumbria,” he said.
“The activity is all about disrupting serious and organised crime in this region, and we are delighted with how the warrants went.
“We were able to arrest three suspects who have been assisting officers with their enquiries, while we also seized a huge haul of evidence that will prove invaluable moving forward.”
Anyone who has information about the thefts, or those involved in organised crime, can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.