The Ghana Police Service has cautioned prospective car buyers to thoroughly verify vehicle ownership documents before making purchases, following the recovery of 10 stolen vehicles trafficked into the country from the Netherlands.
Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, announced at a press briefing on Saturday, September 20, that the stolen vehicles—eight Toyota RAV4s and two Toyota CH-Rs—were traced to various locations in Accra, including Kantamanto, Nima, and Cantonments.
“Prospective buyers are strongly advised to demand proof of ownership from the country of origin. Vehicle details can also be verified with INTERPOL Accra before finalising any purchase,” COP Donkor urged.
The recovery followed a joint operation carried out between September 15 and 17, 2025, by the Police Service, the Netherlands Embassy, and international security firm Digitpol. According to authorities, the cars had been reported stolen in the Netherlands before being trafficked into Ghana.
While highlighting the success of the operation, COP Donkor emphasised that the case serves as a reminder of the dangers unsuspecting buyers face when purchasing second-hand imports. She said international syndicates often use Ghana and other African countries as destinations for stolen vehicles.
The Police Service reiterated its commitment to intensifying cross-border collaboration to curb such crimes and protect the Ghanaian public from financial losses.
