Feds unseal indictment against eight Detroit-area men accused of transporting stolen cars via shipping containers
- Defendants face conspiracy and transport charges with penalties reaching up to 10 years.
- Stolen cars were hidden in shipping containers and routed through port cities for export.
- The investigation involved ICE HSI, CBP, FBI, and several local law enforcement agencies.
The bigger a crime gets, the harder it is to keep a secret. Eight men from Southeast Michigan just found that out the hard way. They’re all indicted for allegedly running a sophisticated car theft and international smuggling operation. Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they stole high-end cars and then planned to ship them all around the globe.
According to investigators, the scheme ran from July 2023 through August 2025. The indictment details a system where stolen vehicles were collected at commercial and industrial lots, packed into shipping containers, and sent via freight or tail to port cities for overseas shipment.
The eight men indicted are Haydar Al Haydari, Karar Alnakash, Abbas Al Othman, Mohammed Al Hilo, Moustapha Al Fetlawi, Terrill Davis, David Roshinsky Williams, and Mohammed Al Abboodi.
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They all face charges of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles, along with one or more counts of transporting stolen vehicles. Convictions for the conspiracy charge could carry up to a five year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Those convicted for the actual transporting of stolen cars face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Scale of the Operation
Authorities emphasized just how impactful the case is. “Our efforts have led to the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles,” said ICE HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent Matthew Stentz. “In a state like Michigan, where cars aren’t just transportation, they’re part of our culture, these thefts hit home,” he continued.
It’s worth noting that the DOJ didn’t specify what type of ‘high-end’ cars were involved. As such, we’ve reached out in hopes of gathering more information and will report back if the DOJ responds.
That said, The Metro Detroit News reports that the among them were “BMW X5s, Dodge Durangos, Dodge Rams, Range Rovers, Ford Broncos, and Chevrolet Camaros, more.” Video taken of some of the cars shows a Cadillac Escalade, a Chevrolet Corvette, and at least two Ram TRXs.
