The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has launched a dedicated task force aimed at curbing the growing incidence of vehicle-related crime, particularly the importation of stolen cars into Ghana.
Announcing the initiative at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of the CID, said the creation of the special unit is part of a broader strategy to disrupt transnational vehicle theft syndicates that exploit cross-border systems.
“To further boost the fight against vehicle crime, a special task force has been set up by the CID administration to conduct intelligence based operations and impound suspected stolen vehicles brought into the country,” COP Donkor stated.
Initial Success and Investigations Underway
Since its formation, the task force has already seized six suspected stolen vehicles all believed to have been illicitly shipped from Canada. These include:
- Four Toyota models
- One Toyota RAV4
- One Range Rover
Investigations are ongoing to uncover how the vehicles were transported and cleared into Ghana. Preliminary intelligence suggests that organized criminal groups abroad are manipulating car rental systems, using forged identities to hire vehicles, which are then covertly exported while still under active rental agreements.
“The choice of models and the condition of the vehicles suggest a calculated effort to mask their origins,” COP Donkor noted.
Warning to Dealers and the Public
The CID is calling on vehicle dealers, importers, and prospective buyers to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of vehicles prior to purchase or registration.
Authorities warn that simply paying customs duties does not legitimize ownership of a vehicle if it was stolen abroad.
This comes as the CID continues efforts to clamp down on the illegal trade in high-end vehicles. Between January and July 2025, the Department successfully recovered 43 luxury cars including brands like Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW that were stolen from various countries in Europe and North America.
International Collaboration Ongoing
Police say the formation of the task force complements ongoing collaboration with international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, the FBI, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). These partnerships enable effective intelligence sharing, vehicle tracking, and legal processes for the repatriation of recovered assets.
“We are committed to ensuring that Ghana does not become a safe haven for transnational vehicle trafficking,” COP Donkor emphasized.
The task force is expected to enhance investigative capacity, improve border monitoring, and strengthen Ghana’s role in the global fight against organized vehicle crime.
