MONTREAL -
A major car theft ring operating out of Quebec has been broken up, say police.
Montreal police along with the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency said Wednesday they have arrested four men described as the ringleaders in the car theft operation, and more arrests are expected.
Nearly 100 cars and SUVs were recovered after police acted on a tip, searching warehouses in southwest Montreal.
"We received a call from a citizen who saw suspect cars coming into warehouses," said Montreal police Cmdr. Patrick Lamarre.
The cars were mostly Toyota Venzas, Highlanders and Rav4s bound for countries in Africa, said police, who began the investigation in September.
Police determined the cars were stolen mostly in Montreal from shopping mall parking lots and driveways. They were then held in a warehouse northeast of Montreal until shipping time.
Police seized some of the stolen vehicles at the Port of Montreal prior to shipment, and some were discovered in Europe, but none of the cars made it to Africa, said police.
Four men were arrested Wednesday morning and will be charged Thursday with theft, possession of stolen goods and conspiracy.
"We know this group is not into organized crime the traditional one we know, but to do what they do is quite complicated so we know these persons were quite organized," said Lamarre.
Police said they believe they've arrested everyone involved in this particular car theft ring, but are working on other rings.
Containers searched based on risk analysis
Not all containers at the port are searched, and Canada's Border Services Agency uses risk analysis to determine which containers to search and scan, said Daniel Harvey of CBSA.
"It is definitely possible to have a container within the port with stolen goods without anyone knowing about it," said Harvey.
