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The Ghana Police Service has recovered 43 high-value luxury vehicles stolen from Europe and North America and illegally shipped into Ghana between January and July 2025, in a major crackdown on international car theft rings.
Announcing the recovery at a press conference on August 4, 2025, the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said the stolen vehicles—comprising top-tier brands like Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz—were traced and impounded through strengthened collaboration with international law enforcement bodies.
“These vehicles were stolen from countries including the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, and France,” COP Donkor disclosed. “The success of this operation is the result of enhanced intelligence sharing with international agencies like INTERPOL and the FBI, as well as local collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.”
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According to CID findings, the criminal networks behind these thefts are not isolated carjackers but sophisticated transnational syndicates linked to wider criminal operations such as money laundering, insurance fraud, identity theft, and visa card fraud.
“This is not just about stolen cars. These vehicles are often part of larger criminal enterprises that threaten global and national security,” COP Donkor said, stressing Ghana’s growing visibility as both a destination and transit point for illicit vehicles.
The vehicles recovered thus far were flagged through intelligence databases maintained by INTERPOL and other global agencies. A number of them had their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) tampered with, while others were accompanied by falsified documentation designed to evade detection during importation.
Of the 43 vehicles seized, court proceedings have been concluded for 18, with eight already repatriated to their countries of origin. Ten others are pending final processing. Investigations into the remaining 25 vehicles are still underway in various courts across the country.
COP Donkor underscored the thoroughness of the investigative process for each impoundment.
“Every individual involved is given the opportunity to provide verifiable proof of ownership or legal purchase from the countries of origin,” she explained. “Unfortunately, in nearly all cases, the importers fail to produce such documentation, indicating either negligence or direct complicity.”
She also issued a stern warning to potential buyers and importers who may assume that clearing a vehicle through customs guarantees legitimacy.
“Let me make it categorically clear: the payment of customs duties in Ghana does not validate ownership of a stolen vehicle,” she stressed. “Importers and dealers must go beyond customs clearance and verify the legal status of vehicles before acquisition.”
This development comes months after the conclusion of “Operation Safe Wheels,” an INTERPOL-led mission across 12 West African nations, which identified Ghana as a key entry point for stolen vehicles, especially from Canada and Europe. Over 150 stolen vehicles were detected during that sweep, heightening pressure on local law enforcement to act.
The latest operation by the CID confirms the growing sophistication of criminal rings operating within Ghana’s borders and reflects the increasingly global nature of organised crime.
The CID is expected to continue working closely with INTERPOL, the FBI, and customs agencies to intercept and return stolen vehicles. Enhanced scrutiny is also expected at Ghana’s ports and border points.
Meanwhile, authorities are urging Ghanaians—especially car dealers and prospective buyers—to conduct due diligence, including checks with INTERPOL or the Vehicle and Asset Information System (VAIS), before purchasing imported vehicles.
“This is about protecting not just Ghana’s image but also innocent buyers from being caught up in international criminal investigations,” COP Donkor concluded. “We are committed to ensuring that Ghana does not become a haven for stolen property.”
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