DEARBORN, Mich. – Two defendants from the eight-person alleged international car smuggling ring in Metro Detroit appeared in federal court Monday afternoon following last week’s raid in Dearborn.
A 12-page federal indictment details the operation that ran from July 2023 through August 2025.
Prosecutors said the defendants collected stolen vehicles at four commercial and industrial lots before packing them into shipping containers bound for the Middle East.
Authorities reported the recovery of 350 stolen vehicles, valued at $35 million, along with car parts, during the investigation.
The court released Al Fetlawi on bond but ordered Al Haydari to remain in custody after reviewing his criminal history and financial discrepancies.
Prosecutors cited Haydari’s previous legal troubles, including allegations of running a “chop shop” in 2020, though his defense attorney noted that the case resulted in a misdemeanor conviction.
Prosecutors also presented evidence from a wiretap recording where Haydari claimed to have earned $10 million, while his 2023 tax records showed a reported income of just $37,000.
The judge stated that Al Haydari was “up to his neck” in the smuggling operation.
TCD News provided Local 4 with video footage of last week’s raid in Dearborn, which led to the arrests.