A resident of La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var) and two individuals from Poland were caught in the act of a fraudulent transaction on Tuesday in front of a hotel in the city.
The three individuals were arrested.
They are accused of having set up trafficking in catalytic converters, reveals France Bleu Var.
This illegal activity is on the rise, boosted by the money it can bring in.
Catalytic mufflers contain several precious metals, some of which, such as rhodium, can be sold for around 400 euros per gram.
The traffic would last for several months between the Toulon conurbation and Poland.
It was brought to light after the arrest last June of a thief cutting a pot with a saw, then two of his accomplices afterwards.
150 jars seized by the police
In the van used for the transaction, investigators got hold of 150 catalytic converters and discovered the sum of 20,000 euros.
The damage could exceed 80,000 euros.
In the whole of the agglomeration, about fifty victims of these thefts were identified by the investigators of the departmental security of Var.
"The figure should be multiplied by four or five", however estimated a source close to the file.
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Automotive
Poland
Flight
Toulon