CBP has seized shipment of high-value stolen vehicles at the Port of Virginia
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have seized a shipment of high-value stolen vehicles at the Port of Virginia, with their final destination confirmed as Ghana.
This interception is part of a broader crackdown on transnational smuggling syndicates, which has seen CBP agents intercept over $6.5 million in stolen cars at the Port of Virginia alone in fiscal year 2025.
Derek Lytle, a member of the CBP’s outbound enforcement team, was involved in the inspection that led to the discovery.
“When the container doors were opened, three cars intended for shipment to Ghana were pulled out, and we immediately identified them as stolen,” Lytle reported.
He estimated the value of the stolen cars in that single container to exceed $150,000, noting their anticipated higher value in the West African subregion.
Suspicion was raised during the inspection when a shipping document listed the contents as a 1990s Lincoln, a description that did not match the actual vehicles inside the container after an X-ray scan.
CBP Chief James Askew elaborated on the methods used by these criminal networks.
“From the X-ray of the container, it was clear that the vehicles did not match the manifest,” Askew stated.
He explained that smugglers often attempt to pack as many vehicles as possible into containers, typically fitting about four, to maximise their illicit profits.
“We’re dealing with dealerships, rental cars that are not returned, and vehicles purchased using fraudulent identification. These vehicles are being exported despite having a lien,” Askew detailed how these vehicles are acquired.
He emphasised the highly lucrative nature of this enterprise for transnational organisations, which continuously adapt their tactics for purchasing and transporting stolen cars.
Despite the evolving methods of these syndicates, Chief Askew affirmed CBP’s vigilance.
“They are continuously changing their tactics, and we track these changes, identifying and adjusting our responses accordingly,” he said.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have uncovered a consignment of stolen vehicles at the Port of Virginia that was en route to Ghana.
The vehicles, all recent models are valued at approximately $150,000 in the U.S., though experts suggest their market value could… pic.twitter.com/lKsEF9g7uY
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) July 22, 2025
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