Federal authorities say more than 600 stolen vehicles worth an estimated $36 million have been intercepted at the Port of New York and New Jersey over the past year, preventing them from being shipped overseas.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said many of the vehicles had been stolen from communities in New Jersey and across the country before being moved toward Port Newark for export. Many were headed to West Africa and the Dominican Republic.
Stolen Cars Hidden in Shipping Containers
Authorities say organized theft rings often move stolen vehicles into shipping containers at the port, where they are prepared for overseas buyers.
Investigators say thieves sometimes enter homes while residents are asleep to search for car keys and key fobs, particularly for high-end vehicles parked outside.
Officials have also warned that organized groups sometimes recruit teenagers to steal vehicles or keys before the cars are transferred through larger trafficking networks.
Millions in Stolen Property Recovered
Homeland Security Investigations official Michael McCarthy said the operation prevented more than $36 million in stolen property from leaving the United States.
“Behind those numbers are real victims,” McCarthy said, noting that each vehicle had been taken from a family, worker or business.
Among the recovered vehicles were expensive luxury models and pickup trucks, including vehicles valued at well over $100,000.
Vehicles Came From Across the Country
Authorities said a significant number of the recovered vehicles had been stolen in New Jersey, while others came from numerous states across the country.
Investigators traced vehicles from more than two dozen states, the District of Columbia and even Canada before they reached the New Jersey port.
Once loaded into containers, stolen vehicles can be shipped quickly to overseas markets, making major ports an important point of intervention for law enforcement.
Record Year at Port Newark
Federal officials described the operation as a record year for stolen vehicle seizures at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
The investigation involved cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities say the effort is part of a broader campaign to disrupt international vehicle-trafficking networks before stolen cars leave the United States.
Drivers Urged to Protect Key Fobs
Law enforcement officials are encouraging vehicle owners to keep cars locked, park in well-lit areas and avoid leaving keys or key fobs near doors and windows.
Because some thieves target homes specifically to obtain electronic keys, officials recommend storing key fobs farther inside the home and away from easily accessible entry points.
Investigations into the theft networks and overseas trafficking routes remain ongoing.
Sources: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Homeland Security Investigations; ABC7 New York; CBS New York
By NJ RADAR Team