The Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service has revealed that, in collaboration with the FBI and INTERPOL, investigations have uncovered the theft of 43 luxury vehicles that were transported to Ghana.
At a press briefing on Monday, August 4, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said the vehicles stolen from abroad were brought into the country between January and July 2025.
She noted that the vehicles, which included brands such as Rolls-Royce, Audi Q8, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, were stolen from countries including the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, and France.
Eight of the stolen vehicles have already been repatriated following a court order, ten are pending repatriation, and the remaining twenty-five are currently involved in court litigation.
“This effective collaboration has resulted in the recovery of 43 stolen vehicles. Out of the 43 vehicles that have been impounded, investigations have been completed, and the courts have ordered that 18 of them should be repatriated back to their countries of origin.
“Eight have already been repatriated, while ten are pending repatriation. Cases on the remaining 25 are still pending in court,” she stated.
According to her, in all the cases mentioned above, those who cleared the vehicles in Ghana were unable to provide proof of ownership or purchase of the vehicles from their countries of origin prior to importation.
“Let me indicate that payment of customs duties in Ghana does not mean that the vehicle was legitimately acquired from the country of origin,” she stressed.
She emphasised that the CID administration has stepped up efforts to fight vehicle crime by working closely with national agencies, including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and international partners such as INTERPOL and the FBI, to crack down on vehicle motor trade and related crimes like money laundering, insurance fraud, identity theft, visa card fraud, and other transnational crimes.
She revealed that a special taskforce set up by the CID to combat vehicle crime has successfully impounded six vehicles: four Toyota Tundra vehicles, one Toyota RAV4, and one Range Rover—all stolen from Canada.
Investigations also uncovered a sophisticated criminal scheme used to smuggle stolen vehicles into the country, involving fake identities and fraudulent shipping tactics.
She detailed the processes used by the criminals in stealing and shipping the vehicles into Ghana.
“Investigations have commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the theft and importation of the vehicles into Ghana. Intelligence gathered on their modus operandi indicates that criminals use fake identities to rent vehicles from car rental companies. While the rental agreement is in force, they clandestinely ship the vehicles out of the country.
“As soon as they are sure the vehicles have been cleared, they stop paying the rental charges and cut all communications with the rental companies,” she revealed.
Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the illegal importation network. COP Donkor emphasised the importance of vigilance among key stakeholders at the country’s ports.
She urged clearing agents, port officials, and the general public to remain alert and report any suspicious vehicle transactions.
“We urge the public to report suspicious vehicle dealings and cooperate with police investigations as the CID intensifies its fight against cross-border vehicle crimes,” she said.
3News