Charges against 63 people for their roles in a sprawling auto theft trafficking enterprise that allegedly shipped scores of stolen, high-end vehicles to buyers in West Africa were announced this week by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and the New Jersey State Police.

The organization is believed to be responsible for more than 90 stolen vehicles valued at more than $8 million.

All of the defendants are charged with first-degree racketeering for their participation in the conspiracy, which involved targeting specific vehicles, stealing them while often committing home burglaries to obtain the key fobs for the vehicles, and brokering the stolen cars to buyers who intended to sell them overseas.

The defendants also face several additional second- and third-degree charges, including participation in an auto theft trafficking network, motor vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, and residential burglary.

The NJSP Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit (MVCNU) first identified the criminal enterprise and its members operating an auto-theft trafficking ring throughout New Jersey and New York between June 2025 and June 2026.

According to the investigating agencies, the alleged purpose of the criminal organization was to steal, transport, and traffic high-end luxury vehicles – including Range Rovers, Porsches, and BMWs – for sale, including to buyers in Ghana and Nigeria.

The criminal enterprise ran a vertically integrated operation, where each member of the alleged conspiracy had a specific role.

Theft crews allegedly stole vehicles and moved them to two main “fences” who allegedly oversaw the enterprise, along with another fence and another man who allegedly ran a shipping yard in Irvington, New Jersey, and was present for many of the sales of stolen vehicles.

The vehicles were then sold to buyers, who often shipped them overseas.

According to the investigation, the buyers also allegedly acted as financiers by providing money that furthered the enterprise’s criminal activity.

Multiple stolen vehicles were recovered from shipping containers at ports in New Jersey and New York.

Many residential and commercial burglaries, vehicle thefts, and a robbery were tied to suspects within the criminal enterprise.

First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000, with first-degree money laundering carrying a $500,000 fine.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

Assistant Bureau Chief Evgeniya Sitnikova is prosecuting the case in the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.