Gardaí investigating organised gangs specialising in catalytic converter thefts have searched a business in Co Meath and seized a significant amount of cash and 110 converters. “Gardaí seized 110 catalytic converters and large sums of cash in euro and sterling currencies during a search operation in Co Meath today,” said the Garda. But in 2019 the crime increased exponentially in the Republic with 989 thefts recorded. The latest data, for 2020, shows 1,014 thefts recorded in the first 9½ months of last year, or on course for 1,300 catalytic-converter thefts by year end; a 13-fold increase in just two years. The metals used in the converters – platinum, palladium and rhodium – have surged in value, meaning their scrap-metal value is now high.

Source: The Irish Times February 11, 2021 18:38 UTC