Range Rover Stolen Karachi UK’s Most Expensive Stolen Range Rover Traced to Karachi

A High-Profile International Case

A luxury Range Rover, reported as the United Kingdom’s most expensive stolen car, has been traced to Karachi nearly three years after it was taken from Harrogate on November 22, 2022. The case has drawn international attention due to the vehicle’s high value and the complex trail it left before resurfacing in Pakistan. According to Interpol Manchester, the car disappeared from tracking systems in Leeds shortly after the theft but astonishingly reappeared near Korangi Road and Saddar in Karachi on February 11, 2025.

How the Vehicle Was Tracked

The car’s detection became possible through the Interpol Stolen Motor Vehicles (SMV) database, which collects and shares information across member countries. Once the Range Rover’s details were uploaded into the database, a global alert was triggered. This digital footprint allowed international law enforcement agencies to monitor its movement.

Interpol formally contacted the Sindh Police, seeking assistance in locating and recovering the vehicle. The timely identification of the vehicle in Karachi demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime, especially in cases involving high-value assets.

Karachi’s AVLC Launches Search Operation

In response to the Interpol alert, Karachi’s Anti-Vehicle Lifting Cell (AVLC) has launched a full-scale operation to track down the missing Range Rover. The AVLC, which has a dedicated mandate to combat car theft and illegal vehicle trafficking in Karachi, is reportedly coordinating closely with Interpol representatives to ensure the vehicle is retrieved.

Officials from the AVLC have confirmed that search teams are focusing their efforts around the locations where the car’s signal was last detected. While the vehicle has not yet been recovered, authorities believe it remains somewhere within the city. This case has now become one of the most high-profile investigations in Karachi’s ongoing efforts against vehicle theft rings.

The Scale of International Vehicle Theft

Vehicle theft is not a localised issue but a global criminal enterprise, with luxury cars often smuggled across borders for resale in lucrative underground markets. High-end models like Range Rovers are particularly sought after due to their demand, advanced features, and high resale value.

Interpol’s SMV database plays a critical role in such cases, enabling authorities from different countries to share intelligence and track vehicles that may cross borders illegally. The tracing of the Harrogate Range Rover to Karachi underscores how stolen vehicles can move across continents and re-emerge years later in unexpected locations.

Local and International Implications

For Pakistan, the discovery raises concerns about organised networks that may be facilitating the trafficking of stolen vehicles into the country. Law enforcement agencies are now under pressure to determine whether the arrival of the Range Rover in Karachi was an isolated incident or part of a larger operation.

For the UK, the tracing of the vehicle offers hope for recovery and serves as a reminder of the sophistication of international car theft syndicates. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed light on the broader mechanisms that allow stolen cars to travel thousands of miles undetected before being found.