BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have smashed a long time running car-stealing racket in the Hunter.

Strike Force Luchetti has been investigating a syndicate of vehicle theft throughout the Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie Local Area Commands since September where vehicles were stolen and parts of vehicles were exchanged for drugs.

Following extensive investigations, an 18-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday.

He was charged with two counts of steal from motor vehicle, trespass, goods in custody, self administer prohibited drug and fraud.

The 18-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear at Toronto Local Court next Tuesday (December 12, 2017).

Strike Force Luchetti investigations continue.