GARDAÍ HAVE RECOVERED three stolen cars they say were about to be exported to west Africa.

The cars were recovered as part of Operation Waste, which was established to combat the use of public roads by uninsured, untested and dangerously loaded vehicles arriving at Dublin Port, destined for export to West Africa.

Since its inception in September 2014, the operation has seen over 50 vehicles including cars and articulated trucks detained for either having no insurance or no certificate of road worthiness.

The three stolen vehicles – an Audi Q7, a Toyota Avensis and a Mercedes Benz S350 – were recovered before they could be exported.

Gardai have also recovered a further 11 stolen vehicles parked in communal areas of housing and industrial estates, where it is believed they were being prepared for export.

Gardaí say that the majority of these vehicles had been stolen during the course of burglaries or the keys had been fished out through the letterbox of homes.

“As a result we wish to advise all home owners that cars keys should be stored in a safe and secure place in the home and away a safe distance from front door letter box’s to avoid their fishing out by thieves and burglars,” say gardaí.

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