Detectives have recovered a luxury vehicle reported stolen in the United Kingdom following a week-long crackdown targeting local and transnational motor vehicle theft networks.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the operation, dubbed Operation Carback II, concluded on October 16, following a nationwide enforcement exercise involving several security and regulatory agencies.
According to the DCI, the operation was spearheaded by its INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Nairobi (NCB-Nairobi) and the Operations Directorate, working alongside other investigative units.
Kenya participated alongside other INTERPOL member countries in the simultaneous global operation, coordinated under Project Drive Out in collaboration with Europol.
The initiative sought to disrupt organised motor vehicle crime networks, identify and recover stolen vehicles and vehicle parts, and strengthen cross-border cooperation.
The DCI said detectives physically inspected more than 1,800 vehicles and checked over 260,000 vehicles against the INTERPOL database during the exercise.
The operation covered Nairobi, Eastern, Central, Nyanza, Western, Coast and Rift Valley regions.
Detectives targeted motor vehicle yards, showrooms, spare-parts shops, garages, motor vehicle bazaars and highway checkpoints.
In Nairobi, detectives recovered a grey Land Rover Discovery during an operation at a motor vehicle yard along the Northern Bypass.
According to the DCI, checks against the INTERPOL database established that the luxury vehicle had been reported stolen in the United Kingdom.
The vehicle was subsequently impounded and escorted to DCI Headquarters for further processing and investigations.
In Thika West Sub-County, detectives discovered a white Mercedes-Benz Kompressor.
The DCI said investigations established that the registration number belonged to an orange Suzuki station wagon, raising questions about the Mercedes-Benz's identity and registration.
The matter was referred to the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer for further investigations.
Meanwhile, in Embakasi, detectives recovered a forklift, which the DCI said was found to belong to a crawler.
The forklift also had an obliterated chassis number, prompting its referral to DCI Embakasi for further investigations and appropriate action.
The multi-agency exercise involved the National Transport and Safety Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Police Service and Administration Police Service.
The operation followed a similar exercise conducted in 2024.
According to the DCI, the latest findings highlight the importance of intelligence-led operations, coordinated enforcement and international information-sharing in tackling motor vehicle theft.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with national, regional and international partners to combat vehicle theft, recover stolen property and bring those involved in criminal networks to justice.
