A 48-year-old Canterbury man has been arrested and charged with running a chop-shop operation where stolen vehicles were stripped and parts shipped to the United Arab Emirates.
Police say 27 stolen vehicles went through the man's business. He has been charged with breaches of the Second Hand Dealers Act and participating in an organised criminal group.
Police raided the Kaianga business in March after the tactical crime unit reviewed five years of records. Incorrect information was being recorded about cars in an attempt to conceal suspicious sales.
Detective Sergeant Michael Hawke said "vehicles being stolen is something that is seen all too often in our region and being able to drive a wedge between those stealing the vehicles and the people they are offloading them to is an extremely pleasing result".
Police identified chat groups between various car wrecking businesses who advised each other about potential stolen vehicles being sold. Hawke stated that businesses have a legal obligation to report suspected stolen vehicles to police and failure to comply could lead to their second-hand dealers licence being opposed and revoked.
$10 million worth of stolen vehicles in Canterbury had not been recovered last year. In 2024 another business owner in the vehicle industry was arrested for similar offending, followed by a $2 million decrease in the total value of all stolen vehicles in Canterbury.
The 48-year-old is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court in June. Police suspect other businesses are operating in a similar fashion and have called for anyone with information to contact them.