KARACHI: The Collectorate of Customs Enforcement (CCE), Karachi has successfully recovered a luxury Bentley Mulsanne that was stolen from London, United Kingdom. The operation was carried out after British intelligence shared credible information with Pakistani authorities, raising serious concerns about loopholes in the country’s vehicle monitoring and registration systems.
According to official documents, the UK intelligence agency informed CCE Karachi that a grey Bentley Mulsanne, V8 Automatic, with VIN number SCBBA63Y7FC001375 and engine number CKB304693, was reported stolen from London. The tip-off indicated that the vehicle was parked inside a residence in Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Karachi.
Acting on the lead, CCE launched strict surveillance at the location. During the search, officials discovered the car parked in the porch of a house, covered with a light grey cloth. Upon removing the cover, they found the luxury vehicle displaying Pakistani registration number plate BRS-279 (2020 Sindh) on the back, while the front bore a handmade white plate carrying the same number. Verification of the chassis number confirmed the vehicle’s identity as the stolen Bentley.
Customs immediately took the car and its current owner into custody. During questioning, the owner revealed that he had purchased the vehicle through a broker, who assured him that all legal paperwork and clearances had been arranged. Acting on this lead, authorities arrested the broker, who then named another individual as the main culprit. The primary suspect remains absconding.
Sources revealed that registering such an expensive vehicle requires approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an NOC from Pakistan Customs, and proof of duty and tax payments. Shockingly, the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department registered the stolen Bentley without fulfilling these legal requirements, suggesting possible involvement of excise officers in the fraudulent process.
The recovery of the Bentley has exposed major flaws in vehicle registration oversight in Pakistan. A formal case has been registered, and investigations are underway to arrest the absconding culprit and hold all responsible parties accountable.
The incident not only highlights the international reach of stolen car smuggling but also raises questions about corruption and negligence within local government departments.
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