- UK and Thai police came together to end an eight-year investigation into vehicle thefts.
- As a result, they recovered 35 vehicles worth a combined $7.8 million.
- Included in the group are a Lambo Huracan, a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, and several Nissan GT-Rs.
Operation Titanium began eight years ago, but only now are we getting a glimpse behind the curtain. This covert, cross-border crackdown—led by UK and Thai authorities—was designed to track down stolen luxury cars spirited out of Britain. Nearly a decade later, the joint effort has yielded a haul: over a dozen arrests, dozens of cars recovered, and even a Lamborghini returned to its original owner. A nice headline, sure, but there’s a story here that’s bigger than a handful of repatriated supercars.
The United Kingdom’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) reported the resolution on Thursday. It says that fraudulent financing deals in 2017 and 2018 been the entry ticket for criminals to acquire these high-end machines. Shortly afterwards, the suspects shipped the cars in question to Bangkok, Thailand. Authorities in Britain reached out to their Thai counterparts and the two began working together to hold the perps accountable.
More: From BMWs To Rolls-Royces, Four Men Accused Of Stealing 120 Luxury Cars And Bikes
Photos from the scene of the release showcase an enviable collection: a green Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, a blue Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, a Ford Mustang convertible, a Honda Civic Type R, several Nissan GT-Rs, and a fleet of BMWs. Authorities found several cars for sale in Thailand. In total, they raided nine different locations in Bangkok. The gang leader along with 12 other people ended up arrested as a result, says the BBC.
In all, 35 luxury vehicles were rescued, with a combined worth of around $7.8 million. Some, like the Huracan, are already back in the hands of the rightful owners. “The owner of this Lamborghini runs a vehicle hire company which nearly folded due to the loss,” said the NaVCIS.
The tactic of swiping high-end cars in the UK and whisking them off to foreign shores isn’t as rare as one might think. Earlier this year, we told you about a Ferrari F512M recovered in Japan. It was stolen almost 30 years ago from the UK.
And it’s not just Britain feeling the pinch. Stolen cars regularly find their way across borders, from Canada and the U.S. to destinations halfway around the world. In North America, luxury vehicles often disappear only to resurface in Africa or other nations east of the Atlantic. It seems that for every Ferrari or Porsche plucked from familiar streets, there’s a buyer waiting far, far away.