A man has been accused of trafficking 44,000 catalytic converters by Beaverton Police. The Police busted up the operation and seized more than 3,000 catalytic converters. The bust also reportedly confiscated hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. This was a months-long investigation into a catalytic converter trafficking ring centered in the Portland-metro area.
The increased price of Rhodium, Platinum, and Palladium is pushing people into this criminal market. Rhodium, for example, is currently valued at roughly $14,000 an ounce, up from about $2,500 an ounce in 2019.
Investigators searched eight locations linked to the theft ring, including a waterfront home in Lake Oswego. The police reported seizing more than 3,000 catalytic converters, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, a high-end vehicle, and jewelry.
Beaverton detectives started the investigation in late 2021. While the crime ring was primarily in the Portland-metro area, it spanned six Oregon counties, and reached into several other states, including Washington, Nevada, California, Texas, and New York.
Earlier this year in March, Beaverton police identified Brennan Patrick Doyle, 32, of Lake Oswego as the leader of the criminal organization. They believe he trafficked more than 44,000 stolen catalytic converters since January 2021, an estimated street value of more than $22 million.
Last month, a Washington County grand jury indicted Doyle, Tanner Lee Hellbusch, and 12 other people on charges of racketeering, aggravated theft, and money laundering.
