A Stolen Luxury Range Rover, taken from Harrogate in the UK in November 2022, has now been traced to Karachi, exposing major flaws in Pakistan’s import system. The luxury SUV went missing more than two years ago, and its GPS tracking was initially disabled in Leeds shortly after the theft. However, in February 2025, the device unexpectedly reactivated in Saddar, Karachi, near Korangi Road and Azam Basti. This discovery has not only shocked law enforcement but also highlighted the role of customs loopholes, weak regulation, and smuggling networks that allow stolen vehicles to enter Pakistan.
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— Sindh Police (@SindhPoliceDMC) December 22, 2023
NEWS ALERT
Karachi, 22nd December 2023: Inspector General of Police Sindh, Riffat Mukhtar Raja, held a meeting on Friday with a six-member delegation from the Karachi Goods Carrier Association, led by Noor Khan Niazi, at the Central Police Office in Karachi. pic.twitter.com/WmCvctSOV7
Interpol and Cross-Border Investigation
The case came to light when the Stolen Luxury Range Rover was flagged in Interpol’s SMV database (Secure Mechanism for Vehicles), which records stolen vehicles worldwide. Alerts were shared through a cross-border vehicle database, enabling UK authorities to coordinate directly with Sindh Police. Acting on this intelligence, Karachi police launched a search operation in Saddar to recover the car. While authorities have confirmed its presence in the city, it is still unclear if the vehicle has been physically seized.
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Customs Audits and Auction Sheet Fraud
The arrival of the Stolen Luxury Range Rover in Karachi underscores long-standing weaknesses in customs audits and import verification. Experts point out that auction sheet fraud and counterfeit documents are frequently used to disguise stolen vehicles as legitimate imports. These forged papers make it possible for high-end cars to clear ports despite international red flags. In addition, grey import channels are often exploited, making Pakistan a vulnerable market for illegally acquired luxury vehicles.
Weak Regulation and Lack of Digital Verification
Pakistan’s weak regulation in the automotive sector has allowed such cases to thrive. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of digital verification systems linked to global databases. Without integration into platforms like Interpol’s SMV database, customs officials cannot easily identify stolen cars at the point of entry. This gap in technology and enforcement creates opportunities for smugglers to exploit the system.
Risks to Buyers and Market Reputation
Purchasing a Stolen Luxury Range Rover or similar stolen vehicle carries serious risks for local buyers. Even if purchased unknowingly, these cars are subject to seizure, leaving buyers with heavy financial losses and potential legal consequences. Furthermore, repeated incidents damage the reputation of Pakistan’s automobile market, reduce consumer confidence, and undermine the credibility of genuine import dealers.
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Call for Stronger Controls
Experts argue that the discovery of the Stolen Luxury Range Rover in Karachi should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. Pakistan must:
- Improve customs audits to detect stolen vehicles.
- Enforce stricter import verification processes.
- Integrate with cross-border vehicle databases such as Interpol’s SMV database.
- Crack down on auction sheet fraud, grey import loopholes, and counterfeit documents.
Until these reforms are enforced, cases like the Stolen Luxury Range Rover traced from the UK to Karachi Saddar will continue to expose the vulnerabilities of Pakistan’s system and encourage international smuggling networks to exploit its weaknesses.
