The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has provided details of its operation on transnational stolen vehicle cases in Ghana.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, August 4, 2025, the Director-General of CID, COP Lydia Donkor, said that her outfit, in collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and international partners such as Interpol, DIGIPOL, and the FBI, has recovered about 43 vehicles.

She disclosed that the stolen vehicles were imported into Ghana between January 2025 and July 2025 from countries like the United States (US), Canada, Italy, and other Western countries by criminal syndicates.

“These 43 vehicles are mainly high-value luxury vehicles such as Rolls-Royce, Audi Q8, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, etc., stolen from countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, USA, Germany, Italy, and France,” she said.

COP Donkor disclosed that eight of the stolen vehicles have been sent back to their home countries, with ten more to follow soon.

“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 to the countries of origin.

“Eight have already been repatriated, while ten are pending. Repatriation cases on the remaining 25 are still pending in court,” she said.

She urged Ghanaians to be diligent when purchasing imported cars, noting that importers often fail to prove legitimate ownership.

“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 prior to their importation into Ghana. 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 cautioned.

“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 added.

BAI/VPO

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