The police have thirteen members in the picture. Two senior members are incarcerated. The alleged head of the globally operating gang, a 66-year-old man from Stompwijk in South Holland, was arrested last week in Ter Apelkanaal in Groningen. When officers searched a business premises here, they also discovered an illegal cigarette factory.
Another prominent member of the group is imprisoned in Lithuania. The two detainees will soon be handed over to Germany, according to the police.
2.5 million euros
The estimated total value of the stolen cars is approximately 2.5 million euros. Cars that were not shipped to Dubai, for example, ended up at trade fairs, with German healers and a French car rental company. According to the police, the gang acted very professionally.
The investigation began in 2018, when police saw a notable increase in car theft in the West German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. In addition to the Dutch police, Europol was also involved.