In a significant breakthrough against transnational crime, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has recovered 43 stolen luxury vehicles smuggled into the country between January and July 2025, while also arresting 65 suspects linked to sophisticated cybercrime operations.
The latest developments were disclosed at a joint press briefing by the CID and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in Accra on Monday.
According to Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the CID, the seized vehicles — including high-end brands such as Rolls Royce, Porsche, BMW, Audi Q8, and Mercedes Benz V Class — were traced back to thefts in Italy, Germany, Canada, France, Belgium, and the United States.
“These recoveries were made possible through close collaboration with international partners including Interpol, the FBI, and Ghana’s own Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority,” COP Donkor said, emphasizing the growing interconnectivity of global criminal networks.
Beyond stolen vehicles, she noted, the cooperation also targets money laundering, insurance fraud, identity theft, visa card fraud, and other complex transnational crimes.
Court proceedings have so far ruled that 18 of the 43 vehicles be repatriated to their rightful owners overseas, while the remaining 25 are currently under judicial review. COP Donkor stressed that payment of customs duties does not legitimize a vehicle’s origin, cautioning importers to verify ownership documentation before acquisition.
In a related development, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, Director-General of the CSA, announced a major cybercrime bust involving 65 suspects—64 foreigners and one Ghanaian—apprehended during raids in Sogakope, Dodowa Sassasi, Ubuntu Estate, Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfrom, and Teshie Nungua.
Authorities seized 42 laptops, 41 mobile phones, and a Starlink internet device, believed to have been used in online criminal schemes.
The joint operation underscores Ghana’s intensifying efforts to confront the evolving threats of cyber-enabled and cross-border crimes, which have implications for both domestic security and international cooperation.
“These coordinated actions are part of a broader strategy to strengthen our national security architecture and protect Ghana’s digital and economic integrity,” Mr. Agbeti added.
Authorities have assured the public of continued vigilance and urged citizens and businesses to be cautious and compliant with regulations when engaging in cross-border trade or digital transactions.
