Illegal Shipment of Luxury Vehicles: How stolen cars are shipped from US to Ghana

An investigation by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has revealed a growing trend in the illegal shipment of stolen vehicles from the United States to West Africa, with Ghana listed as a key destination.

These stolen cars are often concealed in containers and shipped through busy ports such as Norfolk–Newport News in Virginia, with criminals using sophisticated tactics to avoid detection.

At the Port of Virginia, CBP officers recently intercepted a container headed for Ghana.

Inside were three high-value vehicles that did not match the contents declared on the shipping documents.

A scan had raised suspicions, prompting officers to open the container, only to find newer models instead of the “1990s Lincoln” listed in the documentation.

How they do it

Criminals use various methods to obtain these vehicles; some are stolen directly from dealerships, while others are rented and never returned.

In most cases, the cars are purchased using fake identities and fraudulent paperwork.

Once acquired, the vehicles are moved across states and loaded into shipping containers near East Coast ports.

To avoid detection, smugglers alter Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), falsify ownership documents, and intentionally mislabel them.

Some containers are listed as carrying personal effects or low-value cars, while hiding newer models inside.

According to CBP officials, vehicles are often “hung” or stacked inside containers to maximise space.

Officers say up to four cars can be tightly packed in a single container.

In some cases, vehicles are hidden under mattresses, furniture, or other household goods to disguise them.

Tracking the shipments

Once loaded, the containers are shipped primarily through ports with heavy outbound traffic to Africa, including those in Virginia, Baltimore, and New Jersey.

Ghana, along with Gambia and Nigeria, has become a common destination in these transnational smuggling operations.

“From the moment we X-ray a container and see something that doesn’t match the manifest, we begin tracing,” said James Askew, CBP Chief at Norfolk.

“What we often find are stolen vehicles being shipped under false pretences, often listed as old sedans or even personal belongings,” he added.

Fighting back

CBP’s outbound enforcement teams work daily to identify and seize these vehicles before they leave the US.

Through X-ray scans, VIN database checks, and real-time targeting, officers attempt to stay ahead of constantly changing criminal tactics.

In fiscal year 2024 alone, the CBP’s Baltimore Field Office recovered 250 stolen vehicles intended for export, 28 of them bound for Ghana.

With one of the top five highest valued stolen vehicle exports recovered by the CBP was a 2023 Mercedes Benz Maybach valued at $160,075 (Norfolk to Ghana).

Despite these interceptions, officials warn that the scale of the operation is vast.

“You shut down one ring today, and by tomorrow, another group is already on the move,” Askew added.

Regional concern

Beyond the US, INTERPOL recently coordinated “Operation Safe Wheels,” an effort across 12 West African countries that recovered over 150 stolen vehicles.

Many of those had been traced back to North America and Europe, further highlighting Ghana’s place in this global network.

As international enforcement tightens, authorities urge stronger collaboration with customs agencies across Africa to improve border checks and vehicle verification systems.