The  Ghana Police Service have recovered 10 vehicles stolen from the Netherlands as part of a coordinated international crackdown on vehicle trafficking, according to the Ghana Police Service.

The recovery followed a joint operation involving the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana and Digitpol, a global security and cybercrime firm that works in collaboration with Dutch law enforcement agencies.

The operation, carried out between Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, led to the seizure of eight Toyota RAV4s and two Toyota CH-Rs from various locations across Accra, including Kantamanto, Nima, and the upscale Cantonments district, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor, said at a press briefing on Saturday.

“These vehicles, which had been reported stolen from the Netherlands, were tracked to Ghana using international databases and intelligence coordination,” COP Donkor said. She emphasized that the success of the operation illustrates the growing role of cross-border cooperation in combating transnational crime.

Digitpol, headquartered in the Netherlands, specializes in vehicle crime investigations and has partnered with multiple law enforcement bodies in Europe and beyond.

Authorities in Ghana have issued a warning to prospective car buyers, particularly those purchasing second-hand imports, to conduct thorough due diligence. “Buyers should demand original proof of ownership from the country of origin,” COP Donkor advised, adding that vehicle credentials can be cross-checked with INTERPOL’s national bureau in Accra.

The Ghana Police Service said it remains committed to strengthening international ties to address vehicle-related crimes and safeguard the public from falling prey to smuggling and fraudulent import schemes.

“We will continue to deepen our cooperation with foreign partners to ensure that Ghana does not become a safe haven for stolen assets,” Donkor said.