International crime gang's £3 million Manchester 'chop shop' shut down by police

An international organised crime gang who stole £3 million worth of luxury cars while also receiving Government loans during the pandemic has been shut down by police.

Range Rovers, Mercedes, and BMWs were all stolen from driveways and shopping centres and broken down to parts in a hidden garage in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

The ringleader of the conspiracy and five other men were jailed in January 2022. Then, a judge expressed his disbelief after it was revealed that the OCG’s leader, Asif Hussain, had been able to secure a £50,000 Covid loan offered by the Government to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

Now, a further seven members of the gang have been sentenced for their part in the scheme.

The judge described the outfit as "highly professional" and "well organised", using "sophisticated equipment" to commit their crimes.The ‘chop shops’, where stolen cars were broken down, were discovered by police in old mills in Oldham and Bury, as well as a unit in Wigan. The cars were often stolen in horrendous circumstances.

One man at home in Failsworth with his three-year-old daughter was told he would be killed if he went outside to investigate as thieves stole his Mercedes, the 2022 hearing was told.Among those sentenced in court on Friday was Asif Matadar, who was part of the "professional team of car thieves".

The judge said he had displayed a "breathtaking piece of criminal arrogance’ when in May 2020, just hours after attending a police compound to collect a car in his name, he was involved in the theft of a Volvo in broad daylight.Shewaz Rehman was in a WhatsApp group named ‘The Company’, in which the gang discussed their criminal plots. When he was ‘chopping’ one particular Range Rover, Adam Elwood filmed a video clip where he ‘boasted’ that it was ‘the beginning of the end’ for the car.Imran Taj operated an eBay site where stolen car parts were sold on, and set up a business which he used to create cloned vehicle registration planes for the stolen cars. Zeeshan Ali was a ‘trusted outlet’ for the cars and parts.

On Friday 25 October, seven men were sentenced in connection with the conspiracy:

• Asif Matadar, 41, of Melbourne Road, Bolton, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal.

• Shewaz Rehman, 29, of Hereford Street, Oldham, was jailed for four years and nine months after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to handle stolen goods and a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour committed against his wife.

• Imran Taj, 43, of Malvern Road, Oldham, was jailed for four years after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to handle stolen goods.

• Zeeshan Ali, 34, of Ennerdale Terrace, Stalybridge, was jailed for three years and nine months after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to handle stolen goods.

• Adam Elwood, 30, of Kingston Avenue, Chadderton, was jailed for six years after he pleaded guilty conspiring to handle stolen goods, handling stolen goods, possession with intent to supply a class B drug, possession of cocaine, dangerous driving and possession of cannabis.

• Mohammed Irfan, 26, of Malvern Street, Oldham, was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to handle stolen goods.

• James Hopkinson, 29, of Seatoller Court, Oldham, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for a year, after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

In January 2022, six men were sentenced in connection with the conspiracy:

• Asif Hussain, then 44, of Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, was jailed for 15 years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to handle stolen goods, conspiracy to export, and fraud.

• Hadir Ali, then 27, of Lee Street, Oldham, was jailed for 11 years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods and conspiracy to export.

• Saijid Jangharia, then 37, of Willows Lane, Bolton, was jailed for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to export.

• Ibraaz Shafique, then 23, of Camberwell Street, Oldham, was jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods, conspiracy to export, and fraud.

• Tayub Hasnain, then 37, of no fixed address, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

• Mohammed Abdullah, then 23, of Lee Street, Oldham, received a two-year suspended prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Allan Barker, from Greater Manchester Police's Serious Organised Crime Group, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation, and I am grateful to the Crown Prosecution Service who have given their time, expertise, and insight throughout this entire process. I am particularly grateful to our victims who came forward and enabled us to bring such a strong case against these men.“This gang were extremely organised and had sophisticated connections in prominent areas across the globe, meaning they were able to ship millions of pounds of stolen cars and vehicle parts overseas. The transnational nature of this group meant international collaboration was essential to this investigation, and ultimately led to the arrest these men."We will continue to collaborate and share intelligence with our international partners to make sure no one gets off lightly and they face justice for their crimes at home.”

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