Mayor: International car theft operation busted; 63 facing charges
A total of 90 cars, with a value of $8 million were allegedly stolen by the crime network. Cars stolen from New Jersey neighborhoods were being shipped to Ghana and Nigeria.
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A total of 63 people are being charged for their part in a major car theft operation in New Jersey following a year-long police investigation.
Investigators says that 90 cars, with a value of $8 million, were stolen by the organization.
They say high-end cars, including Ferrari’s, Porsche’s and BMW’s, were stolen from New Jersey neighborhoods, often after homes were burglarized to access key fobs.
The investigation revealed that once a car was stolen, it was taken to a warehouse in Irvington and loaded into shipping containers. Once in containers, the cars were driven to Port Newark and sent to Ghana and Nigeria.
“For many New Jersey residents. a vehicle is far more than property. it’s how you get to work, it’s how you get your children to school attend medical appointments and meet the demands of every day life," said state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
The state attorney general say four men from Newark organized the operation, including Fatim Wingate, Brian Peppers, Adamu Alhassan and Standford Oduro.
All four face charges that include racketeering, money laundering and theft of a motor vehicle.
