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$600 Million Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Unraveled as New Jersey Ringleader Pleads Guilty

A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in a federal court in Oklahoma to orchestrating a sprawling criminal enterprise that trafficked stolen catalytic converters across state lines, ultimately selling them for over $600 million to a metal refinery that extracted valuable materials like platinum, palladium, and rhodium.

Mastermind Behind the Ring: Navin Khanna

Navin Khanna, 41, of Holmdel, New Jersey, is the latest and most prominent individual to plead guilty in a nationwide investigation targeting organized theft of catalytic converters—car components that have become a high-value target due to their precious metal content.

Khanna admitted in court to owning and operating D.G. Auto Parts in New Jersey. Between May 2020 and October 2022, he conspired with others to purchase stolen catalytic converters from multiple states, including Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond, and transported them to his facility in New Jersey.

He then resold the stolen devices to Dowa Metals & Mining, a U.S.-based refinery that specializes in recovering precious metals. Dowa is a subsidiary of Japan’s Dowa Holdings Co., a company listed on the Nikkei 225, though Dowa has not been charged in connection with the case.

How the Scheme Was Exposed

The investigation began in May 2021 when Tulsa police pulled over a suspicious vehicle and discovered nearly 130 catalytic converters in the truck bed. That discovery triggered a broader federal investigation during a period when catalytic converter thefts were spiking across the country due to rising metal prices.

According to prosecutors, Khanna’s operation was one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history, profiting from the growing black-market demand for the valuable metals found inside these automotive components.

Federal Charges and Sentencing

Khanna pleaded guilty to:

• One count of conspiracy to receive, possess, and dispose of stolen goods in interstate commerce
• Five counts of money laundering

He now faces a maximum sentence of 14 to 17.5 years in federal prison.

An attorney for Khanna has not yet commented on the case.

Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Stolen Goods

As part of his plea agreement, Khanna agreed to surrender nearly $4 million in cash and 11 high-end vehicles, which included:

• A Lamborghini
• Two Ferraris
• Two Mercedes-AMGs
• A McLaren
• A Porsche
• A BMW M3
• A Ford F650 truck

Federal authorities also seized:

• Real estate properties
• High-end jewelry
• Gold bars
• Over 200 pallets of catalytic converters during raids at multiple properties linked to Khanna

“This theft ring took advantage of hardworking citizens by rendering their vehicles unusable and disrupting lives,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Wider Criminal Network

The Justice Department confirmed that 13 other individuals have already pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. The investigation continues as law enforcement agencies collaborate across state lines to dismantle similar operations.

“This case is a strong example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local agencies work together,” said Johnson. “We are committed to holding accountable those who profit by stealing from ordinary Americans.”

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As metal prices remain high and black-market demand for catalytic converters persists, federal authorities warn that similar operations may still be active across the U.S. The guilty plea by Navin Khanna marks a major breakthrough in one of the most lucrative and damaging theft rings uncovered in recent years—underscoring the ongoing battle between law enforcement and organized metal theft operations.

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