Vehicle crime in Ghana has reached new heights of sophistication, evolving from isolated thefts into a complex, international criminal enterprise that poses significant challenges for law enforcement. On November 17, 2025, Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), sounded the alarm on the changing landscape of vehicle-related crime, emphasizing the urgent need for innovation, advanced tools, and international cooperation to stay ahead of increasingly cunning perpetrators.
Donkor’s warning comes on the heels of her participation in INTERPOL’s 5th Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, where global law enforcement leaders gathered to discuss the latest trends and strategies in combating vehicle theft and smuggling. According to Donkor, the conference made it clear that "vehicle crime has grown into a highly coordinated international criminal economy. A single stolen vehicle can travel across several borders, support other illicit activities, and strengthen organised criminal networks."
The scale of the problem is staggering. Between January and July 2025 alone, the CID recovered 43 luxury vehicles stolen from countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, the USA, Germany, Italy, and France. The list of recovered vehicles reads like a who’s who of high-end automotive brands: Rolls Royce, Audi Q8, Porsche, BMW i7, and Mercedes-Benz V-Class, to name just a few. These cars weren’t simply swiped off the street; they were swept into a web of transnational crime, often making their way to Ghana through elaborate schemes involving fake identities, rental scams, and the laundering of proceeds from other illicit activities like romance fraud and sextortion.
"Criminal techniques are changing rapidly, requiring law enforcement to stay ahead through innovation and collaboration," Donkor remarked, echoing the sentiments of experts at the INTERPOL conference. Digital forensics, artificial intelligence-driven analysis, and modern investigative methods are now at the forefront of the global fight against vehicle crime. The CID in Ghana, Donkor explained, is already implementing many of the recommendations from the conference, including robust financial crime strategies such as follow-the-money techniques, proceeds tracing, and asset recovery.
One particularly effective approach has been deepening intelligence sharing with regional and international partners. The CID now collaborates closely with organizations like INTERPOL, the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division, Digitpol, and even the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This networked approach has enabled the quick recovery and verification of stolen vehicles and has helped to dismantle some of the criminal networks behind these crimes.
But the CID’s efforts don’t stop at the border. Recognizing that the logistics chain is often a weak point exploited by criminals, the department has forged partnerships with ports, shipping lines, transport operators, and insurance bodies. "Our ongoing collaboration with ports, shipping lines, transport operators, and insurance bodies directly addresses vulnerabilities identified in the global freight and logistics sector," Donkor noted. By working hand in hand with these stakeholders, the CID is closing loopholes that previously allowed stolen vehicles to slip through undetected.
To further strengthen the crackdown, the CID has established a special task force dedicated to conducting intelligence-led operations. This task force has already seized six additional vehicles—four Toyota Tundras, one Toyota RAV4, and one Range Rover—all of which were stolen from Canada. The methods used by criminals are as varied as they are inventive: some use fake identities to rent vehicles, only to ship them abroad before defaulting on payments; others launder the proceeds of crimes through the purchase and importation of luxury vehicles.
Donkor has also issued a stark warning to the Ghanaian public, particularly those interested in purchasing imported vehicles. She cautioned that paying customs duties in Ghana does not guarantee the legal acquisition of a vehicle from its country of origin. "In almost all cases, those who cleared the vehicles in Ghana were unable to provide proof of ownership or purchase from the country of origin prior to importation," she said. Her advice to prospective buyers is clear: demand more than just customs documentation—insist on proof of purchase or ownership from the original country before making any payment. This, she believes, is crucial to preventing innocent Ghanaians from unwittingly buying stolen cars and becoming entangled in international crime investigations.
The legal process for repatriating stolen vehicles is already underway. Of the 43 impounded vehicles, investigations have been completed for 18, and courts have issued orders for their return to their countries of origin. Eight vehicles have already been repatriated, while ten others are awaiting the necessary procedures for return. Cases involving the remaining 25 vehicles are still pending in various courts, highlighting the complexity and slow pace of international legal cooperation in such matters.
Donkor’s efforts—and those of her department—have not gone unnoticed. Recent CID operations targeting vehicle crime have gained international attention, with Ghana receiving commendation for its strong investigative outcomes and effective cross-border cooperation. This recognition, Donkor said, "reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a stable and secure destination for business, travel, and investment." It’s a point of pride for the country, but also a reminder that the fight against organized crime is far from over.
The CID’s investigations have uncovered that the criminal networks involved in vehicle theft are often linked to a broader array of transnational crimes, including money laundering, insurance fraud, identity theft, and more. These networks are highly adaptable, constantly shifting tactics to evade detection, which makes the work of law enforcement both challenging and unending.
Donkor is adamant that public support is vital to the success of these efforts. She encouraged citizens to provide credible information to the police, stressing that "together, we can ensure Ghana remains safe and secure." The partnerships forged with both national and international agencies have already facilitated the exchange of critical intelligence on vehicles stolen abroad and smuggled into Ghana, as well as on the criminal organizations orchestrating these operations.
As vehicle crime continues to evolve, Ghana’s CID is determined not to be left behind. By embracing cutting-edge technology, fostering international cooperation, and engaging the public, the department is sending a clear message: Ghana will not be a safe haven for stolen vehicles or the criminals who profit from them. The road ahead may be long, but with leaders like Lydia Yaako Donkor at the helm, the country is steering firmly toward a safer future.