Alberta RCMP busts organized auto theft ring; 7 people face 99 charges

Alberta RCMP’s auto theft unit busted an organized vehicle theft ring that they have been investigating since December 2024. Seven people are facing 99 criminal charges.

RCMP say they began investigating several people after finding they were using Alberta Registries’ Third-Party Authorization System to register fraudulent VINs under unsuspecting persons’ names without their permission. These fraudulent VINs were then used to conceal stolen vehicles, police say.

Since the investigation, police have recovered about $1.9 million in stolen vehicles and are working to locate another 150, with 30 of these vehicles being linked to the charged individuals. RCMP say they have also seized over one kilogram of cocaine, more than 200 OxyContin pills and nearly $10,000 in cash.

Mounties executed several search warrants.

Edmonton Mohamed Hajar, 40, faces 28 counts of uttering forged document charges; fraudulent concealment, fraud over $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking, participation in criminal organization and more.

Another 40-year-old resident of Edmonton, Ryan Garford, is facing 22 counts of uttering forged document, fraudulent concealment, fraud over $5,000.

Sean Broyles, 37, is facing seven counts of uttering forged document.

Yuvraj Dhillon, 22, faces charges for fraud over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000.

The four Edmonton residents are set to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on July 29.

Warrants have been issued for Zachary Frazer, 34, a resident of Edmonton, Loranne Smith, 56, and Darlene Noel, 61, residents of High River. They face charged of uttering forged document.

Mounties say the vehicles were recovered in Canada and overseas.