Belgian police have smashed two vehicle-trafficking rings in Liège Province, arresting nine persons, the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Liège reported on Wednesday.
The traffickers, who stole or hijacked a total of over 150 vehicles, according to the OPP, were caught in police searches conducted on Monday as part of two “long-term” investigations. These were carried out in Liège city and the towns of Grâce-Hollogne, Herstal, Olne and Visé, also located in the province.
Some 120 officers from the Liège Federal Judicial Police, special units and several local police precincts were involved in Monday’s operation.
According to OPP-Liège, one group of perpetrators was involved in trafficking stolen vehicles diverted from rental abroad, or misappropriated through ‘rip deals’ at sales, deception or violence.
A second group specialised in “keyless” theft, whereby the frequency of a remote-control key is intercepted and its data copied onto a new, blank key, which is then used to open the targeted vehicle.
Searches led to the discovery of 15 stolen vehicles, either disguised or owned by suspects, €35,400 in cash, electronic and technical equipment for the ‘keyless’ thefts, and numerous forged or falsified documents used to disguise the vehicles.
Investigators also seized stolen or misappropriated registration marks, numerous mobile phones, smartphones and data media used in the trafficking operation, as well as parts from stolen vehicles.
Twelve people were held, nine of whom were placed under arrest warrants.
The Organised Crime Division of the Liège-Huy-Verviers Federal Judicial Police will continue the investigation.
