Drug, Gang-Related Chop Shop Busted by Cops

The Benton County Gang Unit has broken up a significant automobile chop shop that officials believe was trading car parts for drugs, and other illegal gang-related activity.

It used to be most chop shops were strictly about stealing, or boosting, valuable or useful cars for parts, or the entire car itself.

According to auto insurance companies, Honda's are the most-stolen cars in America due to their value and parts. But now officials say the chop shops are being used by gangs to help fuel drug activity.

According to KEPR-TV, the Benton County Gang Unit busted an operation on East Perkins Road in East Kennewick.

Authorities found a Chevy El Camino that a witness said was seen towing a stolen vehicle the day before.

46-year-old David Powell was questioned by police in connection with the thefts and operation, and officials found stolen car parts. At the East Perkins location, the unit found numerous other suspected stolen parts, but cannot yet trace where they came from. They strongly suspect gang and drug ties tot his operation.