Group stole luxury cars to order

The men organised exports to the likes of Abu Dhabi

Five men have admitted recruiting thieves from across the UK to steal 142 high-performance cars worth £6m.

The cars were being stolen to order for an international crime ring, Manchester Crown Court was told.

A list of specific cars was drawn up by the men, from Manchester, London and Essex, for export to the Middle East.

The men ran the operation for more than a year and although a lengthy police investigation was carried out only 65 of the cars have since been recovered.

Kent Constabulary, Essex, Merseyside and Greater Manchester Police, were all involved in the investigation.

The operation continued for more than a year

Thieves stole mostly Mercedes and BMWs, valued at between £20,000 and £80,000, and also a top-of-the-range Maserati Italian Sports Coupe.

It is estimated that in the operation, which began in June 2002, the gang made about £10,000 profit on each car, with an overall take of £1.5m.

They were arrested on 28 August 2003 after detectives from Greater Manchester Police's vehicle fraud unit carried out a 14-month undercover operation codenamed Barton.

The thieves stole vehicles from across the UK and exported them via shipping containers to destinations including Sharja in the United Arab Emirates.

Legitimate shipping agents were duped into believing the containers held legitimate cargo to be exported via Dubai and Singapore.

Sentenced later

Mohammed Ilyas, 43, of Albert Road, Ilford, Essex; Majid Ghouse, 34, of Strone Road in Forest Gate, London; Naveed Parvez, 28, of Able Street in Burnley, Lancashire; Mansha Khan, 34, of Slade Grove in Longsight, Manchester; Mohammed Dita, 34, of Great Western Street in Moss Side, Manchester all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handling stolen cars.

Ilyas was remanded in custody and the other men were released on bail to return to Manchester Crown Court for sentencing on 21 July.