An investigation into how stolen cars are shipped and sold in Ghana.
An investigation conducted by Mariana van Zeller for the National Geographic Channel has unveiled a network of car smuggling operations originating from Ghana. The probe, featured in a video released on April 6, 2023, commenced in the United States, where Van Zeller shadowed a group involved in the theft of high-end automobiles. During her investigation, several members of this gang divulged their methods and shed light on the intricate structure of an international criminal syndicate funneling stolen cars from American streets to destinations in third-world nations like Ghana.
Van Zeller's journey led her to Ghana, where she engaged with local individuals implicated in the trade. Among them were a hacker/black market trader and a business facilitator, who shared insights into the domestic trafficking of stolen vehicles and the strategies employed to evade detection within Ghana's regulatory framework. Importantly, the hacker revealed his ability to infiltrate the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, enabling the syndicate to circumvent substantial import duties, which can amount to as much as 20% of a car's value in Ghana.
"It is my duty to attack the Tema Harbour... We make it seem as if you've paid everything," articulated the hacker.
Described as the apex of the global car smuggling network due to their pivotal role, the Ghanaian syndicate members provided Van Zeller with extensive details regarding their operations. Ivan, a key figure responsible for overseeing the importation and sale of stolen cars in Ghana, elucidated on the prevalence of car theft within the country and its entrenched status as a lucrative business.
"It is possible that most of these cars are stolen. Most of the boys come here to hang out. There are top guys that are in the business now; the stolen cars business. This is how some family generations have made money," disclosed Ivan during a drive through bustling nightlife areas in Accra.
Overall, the investigation underscored the prominent role of Ghanaian operatives within the global car theft ring, reaping substantial profits from a criminal enterprise that spans continents and sees vehicles pilfered from American owners transported thousands of miles away.
The collaborative effort between investigative agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was instrumental in gathering intelligence and conducting targeted operations. In a press release, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) announced the retrieval of numerous luxury vehicles suspected of being stolen from the USA and Canada during a coordinated raid on December 9, 2022. Thirty-seven vehicles were seized from garages in Accra, resulting in the arrest of ten individuals, who have since been questioned and granted bail, according to the statement issued by EOCO.
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