The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed that up to 10,000 stolen cars enter the country each year.

He made the disclosure while addressing recent concerns about its methods in fighting vehicle theft.

He stated that its operations are far from ‘rambo-style’ but instead based on data and thorough investigations.

Speaking on The Key Points on TV3 on August 23, the Head of Legal and Prosecution at EOCO, Leo Anthony Siamah, explained that the agency does not randomly stop cars; instead, it uses a comprehensive database to track stolen vehicles to specific garages and dealerships as part of its asset investigations.

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Siamah noted that this targeted approach has been highly effective.

He noted that out of 300 vehicles they were investigating, they have recovered 66.

“Out of the 300, we were able to recover about 66. But what is worrying is that more than 70 percent of vehicles we intercepted outside the original list also turned out to be stolen. This shows the problem is much bigger, suggesting that up to 10,000 stolen vehicles may be entering Ghana each year,” he said.

Siamah stressed that due diligence is crucial for anyone purchasing a vehicle.

He cautioned that a buyer has no legal recourse against a seller if they unknowingly buy a stolen car without first taking the proper steps.

He indicated that for buyers to protect themselves, they should not assume that a vehicle is legitimate just because customs duty has been paid on it.

Siamah strongly urged prospective car buyers to check with either INTERPOL or EOCO to confirm a vehicle isn't stolen before completing the purchasing process.

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MRA/VPO

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