Itanagar: The Itanagar Capital Police have uncovered an extensive inter-state vehicle theft and smuggling network, leading to the recovery of 57 high-end stolen vehicles worth over Rs. 30.5 crore.
According to police officials, this marks the largest-ever single seizure of stolen vehicles by any police station in India.
The operation, which began on July 2, was initiated after police received intelligence inputs about an organised network involved in the theft and trafficking of luxury vehicles across multiple states.
Acting swiftly, the Itanagar police registered a suo motu FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the racket.
Capital Superintendent of Police Jummar Basar said the recovered vehicles were traced to theft cases reported in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and several other states.
Most of the cars were premium models that had been stolen from urban centres in the Delhi-NCR region and adjoining areas.
Explaining the gang’s modus operandi, Basar said the stolen vehicles were first tampered with—engine and chassis numbers altered, fake documents generated—and then transported to Arunachal Pradesh.
There, the vehicles were sold to unsuspecting buyers at a fraction of their market value.
Police have so far arrested five individuals believed to be part of the network, while others remain at large and are suspected to be operating from outside the state.
Preliminary findings suggest possible international links to the racket, with police investigating financial trails and cross-border movement patterns that hint at the involvement of foreign handlers or overseas transactions.
This angle is currently under scrutiny, with efforts underway to track the flow of funds and identify any international connections.
ALSO READ: Five Indian students among Top 50 finalists for $100,000 Global Student Prize 2025
The SP urged citizens to exercise caution when purchasing second-hand vehicles.
He advised buyers to verify ownership and registration details through the VAHAN portal or local Regional Transport Offices, and to avoid any transactions involving incomplete or dubious documentation.
Police are continuing their investigation and expect to recover more vehicles and apprehend additional members of the network in the coming days.
Authorities have also appealed to the public to report any suspicious vehicles or individuals to the nearest police station.
