Dearborn, Detroit – Eight men have been charged with operating a sophisticated high-end car theft and international smuggling ring in Dearborn, Michigan, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Dearborn police. The criminal conspiracy reportedly involved stealing luxury vehicles, packing them into shipping containers, and sending them overseas through port cities.
This elaborate scheme spanned from July 2023 to August 2025 and resulted in the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles, authorities revealed. The case was unsealed on Thursday, following charges filed earlier in August.
How the Car Theft and Smuggling Operation Worked
The indictment details a complex operation where the eight men allegedly conspired to receive stolen high-end vehicles at four commercial or industrial lots. These cars were then packed into freight or rail shipping containers and sent to port cities for international shipment, often destined for the Middle East.
The men charged include:
- Haydar Al Haydari, 41, Garden City
- Karar Alnakash, 43, Detroit
- Abbas Al Othman, 42, Dearborn Heights
- Mohammed Al Hilo, 36, Detroit
- Moustapha Al Fetlawi, 46, Dearborn Heights
- Terrill Davis, 33, Detroit
- David Roshinsky Williams, 32, Harper Woods
- Mohammed Al Abboodi, 35, Detroit
The indictment specifies that Al Haydari, Alnakash, Othman, Al Hilo, Al Fetlawi, and Al Abboodi acted as smugglers, while Davis and Williams served as brokers obtaining stolen vehicles from a network of thieves and coordinating their delivery to the smugglers.
Deceptive Tactics and False Declarations
To avoid detection, the smugglers provided false information to freight forwarders, deliberately filing false manifests with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Examples included declaring containers as holding “auto parts” or “22 pallets of antifreeze,” while they actually contained stolen luxury vehicles.
One documented case involved a stolen BMW and Chevrolet Camaro packed into a shipping container on Fullerton Avenue in Detroit, destined for Iraq. Al Hilo allegedly misinformed the freight forwarder about the container’s contents.
Legal Charges and Potential Sentences
The eight men face federal charges of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles and transportation of stolen vehicles. If convicted, the penalties include:
- Up to five years in prison for conspiracy
- Up to 10 years in prison for transportation of stolen vehicles
Currently, none of the accused have attorneys listed in court records.
Law Enforcement Efforts and Community Impact
United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating,
“Stolen cars have no place in interstate commerce and foreign trade. I very much appreciate the diligent work of our many law-enforcement partners in recovering countless vehicles and putting an end to this criminal scheme. Our work to secure justice for the conspirators and their victims continues.”
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Matthew Stentz, Acting Special Agent for ICE Homeland Security Investigations, highlighted the local impact in Michigan,
“This case hits even closer to home in a state like Michigan, where auto theft doesn’t just hurt our wallets, but our culture. Our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners will continue to do the work necessary to take down these operations that harm everyday Americans.”
For further detailed information, visit The Detroit News report here.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The car theft and smuggling operation ran from July 2023 to August 2025.
- More than 350 stolen high-end vehicles were recovered.
- The stolen cars were shipped overseas, commonly to Middle Eastern countries.
- False shipping manifests were filed, misrepresenting stolen cars as auto parts or other goods.
- Those charged face significant prison sentences upon conviction.
Michigan authorities continue to focus on dismantling such criminal rings to protect the community and preserve the state’s automotive industry reputation.
What do you think about this high-end car theft and smuggling ring? Have you or someone you know been affected by car theft? Share your thoughts in the comments below!