Three men have been jailed after admitting offences linked to a vehicle “chop shop” discovered in a Suffolk village.

Police uncovered the operation in an agricultural building in Undley, Lakenheath, on Monday, October 6, where stolen vehicles were being stored and dismantled. The term “chop shop” refers to a site used to break down stolen vehicles for parts, often to be sold on.

Officers found three stolen vehicles at the scene, including two BMWs and a Mercedes.

Two men were arrested at the location, while a third was detained later the same day after attending the site. All three were taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre and subsequently charged.

Zilvinas Galinis, 35, of Lopham Road, East Harling, Mantas Zidonis, 25, of Undley, and Lukas Slenys, 26, also of Undley, later appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.

At a hearing in February, Galinis pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods. Zidonis and Slenys admitted handling stolen goods as well as using apparatus to interfere with wireless telegraphy.

All three were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, April 13. Galinis and Zidonis were each jailed for 27 months, while Slenys received a 21-month prison sentence.

Following the sentencing, PC Mike Spurling said the men were part of a “highly sophisticated organised crime group” involved in dismantling stolen vehicles worth thousands of pounds.

“Whilst carrying out their crime, there has been no consideration to the victims who have not only lost their vehicles but also the inconvenience that this has caused them,” he said.

He added that police would continue to pursue those involved in this type of offending and bring them to justice.