The Central Anti-Corruption Squad in Walana has launched an investigation into an organised smuggling of 430 luxury cars and jeeps by falsely registering them under old and discarded vehicle numbers.

The country has lost a large amount of tax revenue due to this scam, which was carried out with the blessings of corrupt officials at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

However, the officials of the Illegal Property and Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the investigation into this smuggling yesterday (22) under the directives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The reason for this change is that the Central Anti-Corruption Squad has many investigations on their plate to handle on a daily basis and lacks officers to allocate only for the investigation of vehicles.

A senior officer at the police headquarters said, “the CID has enough facilities to conduct such investigations. Also, a separate team of officers can be allocated for the investigation. The IGP has thought about this and has handed over the investigation to the CID. On the other hand, this crime is not something to be taken lightly.”

Information regarding five officers of the DMT has been revealed from the investigations carried out so far.

It was also said that the Central Anti-Corruption Squad has seized a luxury jeep with a fake registration number that was being used by a clerk working in the DMT archives. Appropriate action to be taken against him.

Furthermore, the list of 430 vehicles registered using fake documents was also revealed by the Central Anti-Corruption Squad.

It was said that among those who use these vehicles are top government officials, police officers and businessmen.

The IGP has stressed that the CID is responsible for finding the 430 vehicles and conducting further investigations.