A joint exercise between NSW Police, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Fair Trading and the City of Canterbury Bankstown has led to the seizure of a stolen car, a stolen engine and four re-birthed vehicles in Sydney’s south west.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Motor Unit, with assistance from Bankstown Police Area Command, RMS, Fair Trading, and City of Canterbury Bankstown, conducted a compliance operation across the Greenacre area in late March.
Nearly 50 businesses including car repair workshops, scrap metal dealers and recyclers were inspected to ensure they were abiding by the regulations under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013 and the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016.
During the operation, investigators seized several items, including a stolen Honda Civic, a stolen Holden CRV engine, four re-birthed motor vehicles – a Holden HSV, Mazda BT50, modified VL Commodore and a Mitsubishi Evolution – and 20 abandoned vehicles impounded by Council.
More than 100 non-compliance breaches were identified with six infringement notices to be issued to businesses for unlicensed motor dealer and unlicensed motor vehicle repairer/motor vehicle recycler, and five to tow-truck operators.
Commander of the Financial Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, (pictured) said the Motor Unit would continue to work closely with other agencies to combat organised car theft and re-birthing.
“These compliance checks have uncovered more than three quarters of the 50 motor vehicle businesses inspected not operating within the legislation,” Detective Superintendent Howlett said.
Investigations Coordinator of the Financial Crime Squad Motor Unit, Detective Chief Inspector Con Galea, said the two-day operation was successful and will result in some businesses being shut down.
“We came across three unlicensed motor vehicle repairers, two unlicensed recyclers and a number of businesses with no qualified tradesmen, which means there are people conducting repairs to vehicles who are not qualified or not licensed,” Detective Chief Inspector Galea said.
Director of Compliance at Roads and Maritime Services, Roger Weeks, said RMS will continue to work with police on joint operations targeting vehicle re-birthing and related crimes.
