Iraq dismantles stolen car and fake plate network in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Interior Ministry and Federal Integrity Commission announced the dismantling of a network in Baghdad that trafficked in stolen vehicles and produced counterfeit license plates. According to a ministry statement, intelligence units tracking forgery operations received information about the network and moved in to arrest its members. Raids yielded two stolen vehicles and fake plates used to pass them off as legal, the ministry said. After taking statements from the suspects, authorities referred them to the judiciary for further legal action. Separately, the Federal Integrity Commission said its Maysan investigation office identified irregularities at the Maysan traffic directorate. Two employees in the vehicle and plate registration unit were found to have manipulated receipts for 40 applications and issued plates outside the designated delivery area without administrative authorization. A court ordered their detention under Article 340 of the Iraqi Penal Code.