Six Oldham men charged after investigation into stolen vehicles

Six men from Oldham have been charged as part of a large-scale investigation into stolen vehicles worth over £2,250,000 across Greater Manchester. 

Zeeshan Ali, 30, of Malvern Street, has been charged with conspire to receive stolen goods and concealing/disguising/converting/transferring/removing criminal property.

Hadir Ali, 26, of Lee Street, has been charged with conspiracy to steal, entering into/concerned in acquisition/retention/use or control criminal property and three counts of conspiring to receive stolen goods.

Shawaz Rehman, 25, of Hereford Street, has been charged with conspiracy to steal and four counts of conspire to receive stolen goods.

Imran Taj, 39, of Broomhurst Avenue, has been charged with conspire to receive stolen goods, conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property and possess/control article for use in fraud.

Andrew Allan, 19, of Abbey Hills Road, has been charged with conspiracy to steal.

Habib Rehman, 46, of Hereford Street, has been charged with conspiracy to steal.

Two other men from Bolton have also been charged with conspiracy to steal and four counts of conspire to receive stolen goods.

They will all appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning (9 December). 

The men were arrested on Tuesday morning (8 December) as part of Operation Norma - which was launched following the theft of over 70 vehicles since October last year.

Officers from GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group launched the investigation following a report of a stolen Mercedes from Manchester City Centre on 12 October 2019. Officers located the vehicle and discovered what was believed to be a "chop shop" at Poolstock Lane in Wigan.

Following extensive enquiries, a number of vehicles have been recovered as part of the operation, with some seized in containers due to be shipped abroad.

A number of suspected chop shops were also subsequently raided in Chadderton, Oldham and Bolton where approximately another 45 stolen vehicles or parts linked to stolen vehicles were discovered. Following enquiries, detectives also found what they believed to be parts from stolen cars for sale on the internet.

The investigation continues and a number of cars and parts thought to be stolen are currently being sought or undergoing examination.