Detectives have seized a stolen car, stolen engine and four re-birthed vehicles during a multi-agency compliance operation across Sydney's south west this week.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad's Motor Unit, with assistance from Bankstown Police Area Command, Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Fair Trading, and City of Canterbury Bankstown, conducted a compliance operation across the Greenacre area on Tuesday (26 March 2019) and yesterday (Wednesday 27 March 2019).
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, 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.
NSW Fair Trading will issue 105 infringement notices for assorted breaches of the Motor Dealer and Repairers Act and Regulations.
Financial Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, said the Motor Unit would continue to work closely with other agencies to combat the issue of 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," Det Supt Howlett said.
"If you know or suspect a motor business is operating fraudulently or if a car re-birthing syndicate may be operating in your area, please call Crime Stoppers."
Financial Crime Squad Motor Unit Investigations Coordinator, 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," Det Ch Insp Galea said.
"Further investigations will commence into the stolen and re-birthed vehicles recovered and follow up business inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance is enforced."
Roads and Maritime Services Director of Compliance, Roger Weeks said Roads and Maritime Services will continue to work with police on joint operations targeting vehicle re-birthing and related crimes.
"This operation demonstrates how Roads and Maritime work with NSW Police and other agencies to stamp out vehicle re-birthing and related vehicle crimes, which have no place in our society," Mr Weeks said.
Anyone with information about organised car theft and re-birthing is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
