Foreign Gang Smuggling Stolen Used Cars Including BMW and Lexus Caught

A group attempting to smuggle high-end foreign cars (so-called Daepocha) disguised as domestic vehicles overseas was caught by customs. Foreign cars were hidden in a container detected through customs X-RAY. Photo by Incheon Main Customs

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A group of foreigners attempting to smuggle luxury imported vehicles such as BMW and Lexus overseas was caught by customs.

Incheon Main Customs Office announced on the 7th that it arrested six people for attempting to smuggle 48 so-called "ghost cars" and detained two ringleaders (foreigners), while four others were sent to prosecution without detention for violating customs laws.

They are suspected of falsely declaring to customs that they were exporting deregistered domestic used cars, while actually attempting to smuggle luxury imported vehicles overseas.

This scheme was uncovered during the customs' vehicle-type X-RAY inspection process. It was revealed that "ghost cars," which are difficult to deregister, were placed inside export vehicle containers.

In particular, when the smuggling was detected by customs, the group recruited foreigners illegally residing in Korea to falsely surrender to customs, and to prepare for false confessions being revealed during the investigation, they made them carry mobile phones containing photos of used cars, showing their meticulous planning.

However, after six months of investigation, Incheon Customs arrested and detained Mr. A (32), the mastermind who fled to the provinces, and Mr. B (30), responsible for illegal shoring (securing export vehicles in containers), and additionally arrested four Koreans and foreigners involved in the illegal vehicle clearance process, sending them to prosecution without detention.

An official from Incheon Customs stated, “We will thoroughly crack down on acts that illegally export the nation's valuable property overseas and ensure strict punishment as a deterrent.”