Iran’s police set on curbing the problem of ‘shutis’
Emphasizing the necessity of addressing the issue of ‘shutis’ seriously, the deputy police chief of Iran stated, “The utilization of these vehicles is increasingly becoming a prevalent means of transporting contraband.”
Shutis are customized cars that are used in Iran to transport smuggled goods and in some cases people. In response to the rising number of such vehicles on the roads and in cities, Commander Qassem Rezaei asserted, “Shutis are unquestionably illegal, and it is the duty of the police to confront any unlawful practice,” IRNA reported.
He further elaborated on the criminal and perilous behavior associated with these cars, stating, “At times, their actions result in further criminal activities and even human casualties, and on several occasions, they have resulted in the martyrdom of police officers.”
The deputy police chief remarked, “What is evident is that this issue is unorthodox and spreading across various provinces. However, police officers working on multiple checkpoints and roads, as well as specialized operational teams, are working towards addressing the phenomenon.”
Rezaei said the country’s police force has placed significant emphasis on dealing with the shutis, stressing that the reckless actions of these illicit vehicles will be curbed.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of so-called ‘shuti’ cars carrying smuggled goods, particularly in Tehran, which is the economic hub of the country.
In addition to the disruptive nature of smuggling activities, the reckless behavior of the drivers of these cars on the roads contributes to a significant number of traffic accidents. These behaviors are primarily used as an attempt to escape the police.
Shuti cars — predominantly of the Peugeot 405, Peugeot Pars, and Samand models — primarily focus on smuggling goods from the country’s entry points, such as port areas in the south and the north, as well as border regions in the east and the west. In certain cases, the illicit trade involves the transportation of individuals as well.
The anti-trafficking police recently characterized the issue of shutis as a secondary problem and attributed the prevalence of this hazardous mode of transportation to its profitability and the less-than-satisfactory management at the country’s entry points.