Operation Safe Wheels exposes transnational vehicle trafficking network fueled by stolen Canadian cars
A major international crackdown led by INTERPOL has revealed that Canada is a key source in a vast vehicle trafficking operation that spans continents, after more than 150 stolen vehicles—mostly traced back to Canada—were discovered across West Africa.
The two-week operation, dubbed Safe Wheels, ran from March 17 to 30, 2025, and involved law enforcement agencies from 12 West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. More than 12,600 vehicles were inspected, resulting in the seizure of over 75 and the opening of 18 new investigations into criminal networks linked to auto theft and cross-border trafficking.
A striking revelation from the sweep was the number of Canadian vehicles found, including high-end Toyota and Lexus models smuggled into Nigeria in freight containers. Many bore telltale signs of forced entry and were confirmed as stolen in Canada in 2024. INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database—credited with identifying 270,000 stolen vehicles globally in 2024—played a crucial role in tracking and verifying the illicit cargo.
“Canada has become an unwilling exporter in the global stolen vehicle supply chain,” said David Caunter, INTERPOL’s Director of Organized and Emerging Crime. “These cars are not just disappearing—they’re being weaponized by organized crime.”
The discovery has intensified scrutiny on global supply chains and customs security, especially as stolen vehicles are increasingly linked to broader criminal activity including drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and terrorism financing.
The operation was part of Project Drive Out, a new initiative funded by the Government of Canada in partnership with INTERPOL, aimed at cracking down on international vehicle theft and the illegal trade in auto parts.
INTERPOL deployed a team of nine experts, including a Canadian vehicle crime specialist, to support frontline police in countries like Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Daily operations included an average of 46 roadside checkpoints per country, underscoring the scale of the regional effort.
With Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda vehicles dominating the list of recovered makes, officials say the operation underscores the sophisticated nature of transnational auto crime—and the critical need for international cooperation in fighting it.
