{"id":90426,"date":"2025-08-19T19:18:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T19:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=90426"},"modified":"2025-08-19T19:18:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T19:18:04","slug":"fears-grow-over-stolen-cars-in-ghana-after-interpol-crackdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=90426","title":{"rendered":"Fears grow over stolen cars in Ghana after INTERPOL crackdown"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Concerns are mounting that more Ghanaians may unknowingly be driving stolen vehicles, following the outcome of a major operation led by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).<\/p>\n

The coordinated exercise, code-named Safe Wheels<\/em>, was carried out in partnership with national law enforcement agencies across 12 West African countries, including Ghana.<\/p>\n

The operation uncovered an influx of stolen vehicles trafficked into the region through both land and sea routes.<\/p>\n

West Africa has long been a hub for used vehicle imports, with data suggesting that Ghana alone receives about 900,000 second-hand cars annually.<\/p>\n

According to INTERPOL, the growing appetite for luxury vehicles in particular has created a lucrative market for international car theft syndicates.<\/p>\n

During the two-week operational phase, between March 17 and 30, 2025, participating countries set up an average of 46 checkpoints daily, inspecting more than 12,600 vehicles.<\/p>\n

These vehicles were cross-checked against INTERPOL\u2019s Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database, which recorded about 270,000 stolen cars globally in 2024.<\/p>\n

The countries involved in the operation were Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service says it is intensifying efforts to combat vehicle-related crime in collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), and international partners such as INTERPOL and the FBI.<\/p>\n

The Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, August 19, assured that enforcement efforts will be stepped up to safeguard the country against vehicle crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cases outlined today highlight Ghana Police Service\u2019s unwavering commitment to investigating serious crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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