NAIROBI, Kenya- Detectives have recovered a Land Rover Discovery stolen in the United Kingdom during a week-long, multi-agency operation targeting local and international motor vehicle theft syndicates.
The grey vehicle, registration number KCY 001J, was found at a motor vehicle yard along Nairobi’s Northern Bypass during Operation Carback II.
A check against the INTERPOL database confirmed it had been reported stolen in the UK.
Detectives impounded the vehicle and took it to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters for further processing and investigations.
The operation concluded on Friday after enforcement teams inspected more than 1,800 vehicles and checked over 260,000 against the INTERPOL database.
The nationwide exercise targeted motor vehicle yards, showrooms, garages, spare-parts shops, bazaars and highway checkpoints.
The DCI said the crackdown was spearheaded by its INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Nairobi and the Operations Directorate, with support from other DCI units and national law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
Kenya took part alongside other INTERPOL member countries in the simultaneous operation, coordinated under Project Drive Out in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, Europol.
The initiative sought to disrupt organised vehicle crime networks, recover stolen vehicles and parts, and strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders.
The operation covered Nairobi, Eastern, Central, Nyanza, Western, Coast and Rift Valley regions. Participating agencies included 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.
Detectives also flagged two other vehicles over suspected identity and registration irregularities.
In Thika West Sub-County, officers found a white Mercedes-Benz Kompressor bearing registration number KBZ 325J.
The registration belongs to an orange Suzuki station wagon, raising questions about the Mercedes-Benz’s identity.
The matter was referred to the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer for further investigations.
In Embakasi, detectives recovered a forklift bearing registration number KAD 132K, which was found to belong to a crawler. Investigators also noted that its chassis number had been obliterated.
The case was referred to DCI Embakasi for further action.
The DCI said the findings demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement and international information-sharing in identifying vehicles linked to theft syndicates.
Operation Carback II builds on a similar exercise conducted in 2024.
The DCI said it would continue working with national, regional and international partners to recover stolen property and pursue those involved in vehicle crime.
Members of the public with information that could assist investigators can report anonymously through the DCI toll-free line 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
