INTERPOL has coordinated a two-week operation (March 17–30, 2025) across 12 West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, and Togo, and discovered stolen cars.
The operation inspected 12,600 vehicles, leading to the detection of 150 stolen vehicles and the seizure of over 75.
Most stolen vehicles originated from Canada, with others linked to thefts in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
In Nigeria, six high-end vehicles (Toyota and Lexus models) were found hidden in shipping containers at Lagos port, all confirmed stolen from Canada in 2024. Four showed signs of forced entry.
Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda were the most commonly intercepted brands.
The operation exposed two organized crime groups and initiated 18 new investigations into cross-border trafficking and illicit trade (e.g., vehicles exchanged for drugs or terror funding)
INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database played a pivotal role, enabling real-time checks by 196 member countries. In 2024, it identified 270,000 stolen vehicles globally.
Stolen vehicles often fuel transnational crime, including drug trafficking, money laundering and terrorism, highlighting the need for international cooperation.
As a top source country for stolen vehicles, Canada has intensified data-sharing with INTERPOL, detecting 200+ stolen cars weekly since 2024
