family trafficking in catalytic converters dismantled
Cable theft does not bring in enough money, the new vein, it’s the catalytic converter. Thefts have literally exploded in 10 years. They follow the prices of rare metals, such as platinum, palladium and especially rodium, 10 times more expensive than gold, nearly 400 euros per gram. It’s fast and it can put off a lot. UN traffic in catalytic converters has just been dismantled in the south of France.
The criminals, all from a family gang, were rampant in the departments of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. Men, women and children, all were involved. The Romanian family in Toulouse had organized themselves, the youngest were collecting the pots from company car parks in the South-West. More than 100% in less than 6 months.
In Toulouse, the older ones organized the concealment and the women took care of the convoy, sometimes by bus, to relatives living in Germany, who negotiated with little looking recyclers. Precious materials, then left for the east. On the black market, a catalytic converter, depending on its brand, model and therefore its composition, can be worth 20 to 200 euros each.