Indian man found guilty for running $600 million catalytic converter theft ring in multi-state scheme

Highlights:

• Navin Khanna pleaded guilty to leading a nationwide theft network.
• The scheme involved stolen catalytic converters worth over $600 million.
• The operation ran from 2020 to 2022 across several US states.
• More than 20 people have been charged in the conspiracy.
• Authorities seized luxury cars, cash, jewelry, and real estate.

A New Jersey man has admitted in federal court that he led a nationwide criminal operation that stole and sold catalytic converters worth more than $600 million. The case has become one of the largest theft schemes involving vehicle parts in recent US history.

According to the United States Department of Justice, 41-year-old Navin Khanna of Holmdel, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. The charges include conspiracy to receive and sell stolen goods across state lines and several counts of money laundering.

Authorities said Khanna operated a large criminal network that bought thousands of stolen catalytic converters from thieves across several states and resold them for profit. Catalytic converters contain valuable metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which can be extracted and sold for high prices in the global metals market.

Court documents revealed that Khanna owned and ran a company called D.G. Auto Parts, which prosecutors described as the center of the criminal enterprise. From May 2020 to October 2022, the company allegedly purchased stolen catalytic converters from suppliers in states including Oklahoma and Texas.

These stolen converters were then transported to New Jersey and sold to a metal refinery. The refinery extracted precious metals from the devices, generating massive profits for the organization. Investigators say the resale of these stolen parts brought in more than $600 million during the two-year period.

The case began when authorities noticed a sharp increase in catalytic converter thefts in Tulsa in 2020. The Tulsa Police Department launched an investigation that soon revealed a large criminal network operating across multiple states.

Law enforcement agencies executed search warrants in several states, including California, New York, Texas, and New Jersey. During the investigation, federal prosecutors charged more than 20 people linked to the theft ring.

Thirteen co-defendants connected to the case in Oklahoma have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

As part of his plea agreement, Khanna agreed to give up millions of dollars in assets seized during the investigation. Authorities recovered nearly $4 million in cash, several properties, and high-end jewelry.

Police also seized 11 luxury vehicles, including models from brands such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes‑Benz, Porsche, and BMW.

In addition, investigators confiscated gold bars and more than 200 pallets of catalytic converters found at properties connected to the defendant.

Khanna now faces a potential prison sentence of 168 to 210 months under federal sentencing guidelines. A judge will decide the final sentence after reviewing the case and other legal factors.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with support from several agencies, including IRS Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement in Oklahoma.

Federal prosecutors say the case highlights the growing problem of catalytic converter theft in the United States and the efforts of authorities to dismantle large criminal networks that profit from stolen vehicle parts.