CID Establishes Task Force to Combat Influx of Stolen Vehicles into Ghana
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has intensified its crackdown on transnational vehicle crime with the formation of a special task force dedicated to identifying and impounding stolen vehicles smuggled into the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, August 4, Director-General of the CID, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that the new unit will conduct targeted, intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling international vehicle theft syndicates.
“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,” she announced.
Since its establishment, the task force has already seized six suspected stolen vehicles traced to Canada. The impounded vehicles include four Toyota models, a Toyota RAV4, and a Range Rover.
Preliminary investigations reveal that criminal syndicates are exploiting international car rental systems by using falsified identities to acquire vehicles. These vehicles are then illicitly exported while still under valid rental contracts, often ending up in Ghana and other destinations in West Africa.
DCOP Donkor indicated that the sophisticated branding and strategic selection of vehicle models by these syndicates point to well-coordinated attempts to conceal the origins of the stolen vehicles.
In light of these developments, the CID is urging importers, dealers, and prospective car buyers to conduct thorough checks on vehicle documentation and ownership history before completing transactions.
“Ghanaians must be vigilant. We encourage all vehicle dealers and buyers to verify the legitimacy of every vehicle before registration or purchase to avoid legal complications,” she said.
The CID further noted that it is strengthening cooperation with international partners, including Interpol and other national law enforcement agencies, to identify and disrupt these criminal networks.
Meanwhile, the CID has recovered a total of 43 high-value luxury vehicles stolen from overseas and trafficked into Ghana between January and July 2025, underscoring the scale of the transnational crime.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Ghana does not become a destination or transit point for stolen vehicles and have pledged to sustain the momentum of current enforcement efforts.
