An Afghan refugee who came to New Zealand as one of the Tampa boat people has been found guilty of receiving stolen vehicles.
Police raided a West Auckland panel and paint shop two years ago and found engines and parts belonging to 19 stolen vehicles.
Police said Mohammed Hashem Basiri, 39, bought cars for as little as $100 and stripped the engines, transmissions and panels for sale in Auckland and overseas.
After Basiri's week-long jury trial at Auckland District Court on August 27, he was found guilty on six counts of receiving stolen property and was remanded on bail for sentencing on November 1.
There is no suggestion Basiri was involved with the truck stolen from Sustainable Coastlines.
