The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has retrieved 10 stolen vehicles. 

The vehicles comprise eight Toyota RAV4s and two Toyota CH-R’s which had been reported stolen from the Netherlands and were tracked to Ghana. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Accra, Commission of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said the vehicles were successively retrieved between September 15 and 17, in various parts of Accra, including Kantamanto, Nima, and Cantonments. 

COP Donkor said the CID had intensified efforts to address the growing challenge of transnational vehicle crime, adding vehicle theft did not only cause financial loss to victims but “tarnishes Ghana’s International reputation and fuels other organised criminal activities.” 

She attributed its success to collaboration from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, International partners and embassies of affected countries. 

According to COP Donkor recently, the Police collaborated with the Netherlands Embassy and Digitpol, a security company that worked closely with the Netherlands Police, to track and recover stolen vehicles trafficked to Ghana. 

The CID Boss cautioned the public to be vigilant when purchasing vehicles, adding, “Prospective buyers are strongly advised to demand proof of ownership from the country of origin. 

Vehicles can also be verified with INTERPOL Accra before finalising any purchase.”