US authorities bust catalytic converter theft ring that raked in over $545m | New Jersey | The Guardian US authorities said they have taken down a massive, nationwide criminal ring to steal thousands of catalytic converters from cars and trucks, charging 21 people and seizing millions of dollars in assets. Various defendants were accused in separate indictments unsealed in Sacramento, California, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, of crimes such as transporting and receiving stolen goods across state lines, and conspiring to commit money laundering. Bob Wilson
I wonder what percentage of US thefts were related to this where it says: "...stolen converters were sold to DG Auto Parts LLC of Freehold, New Jersey, which allegedly sold precious metal powders it extracted from the devices through a “de-canning” process to a metal refinery for more than $545m. Authorities are seeking the forfeiture of that sum, after seizing other assets including homes, bank accounts, luxury vehicles and cash. The US attorney general, Merrick Garland, said 32 search warrants were executed in the takedown. The alleged scheme began about three years ago, prosecutors said."
If they are a flight risk, they'll simply be held in jail. No more staying free just because you have money.
just found out about this, apparently they were filling up the beds of trucks, driving into a warehouse down the highway a few miles out of the major city, and then connecting with the underground network to sell-on.
