The Ghana Police Service has recovered 43 luxury vehicles stolen from abroad and illegally shipped into the country between January and July 2025.
The vehicles, which include high-end brands such as Rolls-Royce, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, were reportedly stolen from countries in Europe and North America.
At a press briefing in Accra on Monday, August 4, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, confirmed the recoveries, attributing the success to enhanced collaboration with both local and international partners.
“The administration has stepped up efforts to fight vehicle crime by working in close collaboration with other national agencies, including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and international partners like INTERPOL and the FBI,” she said.
She noted that intelligence-sharing had been instrumental in tracking the stolen vehicles and exposing the smuggling networks behind them.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle theft syndicates are linked to broader transnational crimes such as identity theft, insurance fraud, visa card fraud, and money laundering.
“This highlights Ghana’s growing role in global criminal supply chains—often as a destination or transit point for illicit goods,” COP Donkor added.
The recovered vehicles were traced to at least seven countries: the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, and France.
She referenced INTERPOL’s Operation Safe Wheels, conducted in late 2024 and early 2025 across 12 West African nations, which identified over 150 stolen vehicles—many traced to Ghana.
Of the 43 vehicles recovered, investigations into 18 have been completed. The courts have ordered that those cars be returned to their countries of origin. So far, eight have been repatriated, while 10 await final procedures. The remaining 25 cases are still under judicial review.
“It is important to note that for every vehicle impounded, thorough investigations are carried out, and importers are given the opportunity to provide proof of ownership or purchase from the country of origin,” she stressed.
However, COP Donkor expressed concern that in nearly all the cases, individuals who cleared the vehicles in Ghana failed to provide such documentation.
“It is sad to note that in almost all the cases mentioned above, those who clear the vehicles in Ghana are unable to provide proof of ownership or purchase of the vehicles from the country of origin,” she said.
She cautioned that payment of customs duties does not equate to legitimate acquisition.
“Let me indicate here that payment of customs duties in Ghana does not mean that the vehicle was legitimately acquired from the country of origin,” she warned.
The CID revealed that criminals often use sophisticated techniques such as altering Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and falsifying ownership records to avoid detection.
The operation between the CID, Customs Division, INTERPOL, and the FBI remains ongoing as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle Ghana’s role as a hub for stolen vehicles.
Source: Adomonline.com
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