An international police operation targeting vehicle crime in West Africa has uncovered approximately 150 stolen vehicles and seized over 75 vehicles.
The operation, codenamed “Safe Wheels,” was conducted by law enforcement agencies in 12 West African countries and led to 18 new investigations and the dismantling of two crime groups involved in the cross-border smuggling of stolen cars.
Most stolen vehicles discovered through INTERPOL’s Stolen Motor Vehicle database were trafficked from Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, with Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda being the most commonly recovered makes.
Around 270,000 vehicles were identified as stolen globally in 2024 through the database, which allows police in 196 member countries to run checks against suspicious vehicles.
During the two-week operation, security agents inspected 12,600 vehicles across West Africa, utilizing both land and sea routes to detect trafficked vehicles.
In Nigeria, customs officers discovered six stolen Toyota and Lexus vehicles hidden in freight containers at the Lagos port, with four showing clear signs of break-in.
“Stolen vehicles are trafficked across the globe, traded for drugs and other illicit commodities, enriching organized crime groups and even terrorists,” said David Caunter, Director of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL.
The Nigerian Customs Service and Canada’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau are investigating the discovered vehicles, which were reported stolen in Canada in 2024.
The operation is part of Project Drive Out, a joint initiative between INTERPOL and the Government of Canada aimed at disrupting international vehicle smuggling and the illegal trade in car parts.