Crime lords turn Motor City into car-theft supermarket for Middle East buyers
Law enforcement officials are raising concerns over a growing trend of international organized crime groups smuggling stolen vehicles from Detroit to destinations in the Middle East, with experts warning that juveniles are increasingly being used to carry out the thefts.
In September, federal prosecutors announced the indictment of eight men accused of running a large-scale vehicle theft and international smuggling operation in the Detroit area. The charges were filed in U.S. District Court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The 12-count indictment alleges the suspects worked together to steal vehicles and deliver them to one of four commercial or industrial lots across the Detroit metropolitan area. Prosecutors say the stolen cars were then packed—often two at a time—into shipping containers and transported by rail or freight to nearby port cities.
Once at the ports, the containers were allegedly shipped overseas. Dearborn Police Corporal Daniel Bartok said many of the stolen vehicles were sent to the Middle East, including countries such as Iraq and locations like Dubai.
Federal authorities identified the defendants as Haydar Al Haydari, 41, of Garden City; Karar Alnakash, 43, of Detroit; Abbas Al Othman, 42, of Dearborn Heights; Mohammed Al Hilo, 36, of Detroit; Moustapha Al Fetlawi, 46, of Dearborn Heights; Terrill Davis, 33, of Detroit; David Roshinsky Williams, 32, of Harper Woods; and Mohammed Al Abboodi, 35, of Detroit.
All eight men face charges of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles, along with one or more counts of transporting stolen vehicles across state or international lines.
“Our efforts have led to the recovery of more than 350 stolen vehicles, and behind every one of those cars is a victim,” said Matthew Stentz, acting special agent in charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit. He added that law enforcement agencies will continue targeting criminal operations that harm everyday Americans.
The indictment comes amid a broader rise in vehicle thefts across Michigan. In 2023, the state recorded 28,408 motor vehicle thefts, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General. That figure represents a 4.1% increase from the previous year and a nearly 50% jump compared to five years ago. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kyle McPhee, a retired Michigan State Police detective sergeant and stolen vehicle identification specialist, said Detroit’s status as a port city makes it particularly vulnerable.
“Any large metropolitan area has auto theft issues,” McPhee said. “But Detroit is a port city. You can put something in a shipping container and have it at a port very quickly.”
McPhee said organized crime groups often steal vehicles from factory lots or public streets and sometimes recruit juveniles because minors face less severe legal consequences. The vehicles are then stripped of tracking devices, disassembled, or mislabeled as auto parts to evade detection.
Once overseas, the vehicles may be reassembled. Criminals often falsify shipping manifests, labeling containers as household goods despite them containing multiple vehicles. According to McPhee, the sheer volume of containers moving through ports makes it nearly impossible for authorities to inspect each one thoroughly.
“These ports handle millions of containers,” McPhee said. “Even with x-ray and scanning technology, it’s extremely difficult.”
In response to the rise in thefts, Michigan officials created the Auto Fraud Task Force earlier this year. The unit focuses on combating auto theft and insurance fraud by coordinating with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Metro Detroit.
Attorney General Dana Nessel said expanding the task force is a critical step in addressing organized auto crime.
“These crimes impact far too many Michigan residents each year,” Nessel said in a statement. “This new structure strengthens our ability to dismantle sophisticated criminal enterprises operating in our state.”
As authorities work to intercept stolen vehicles before they leave the country, McPhee said the driving force behind the surge is simple.
“There’s money to be made,” he said. “Local gangs can easily connect with international groups. With today’s technology, it’s not hard.”
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