Latest news with #DavidCaunter
Russia Today
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Russia Today
International car-smuggling ring exposed in Africa
Interpol has located around 150 stolen vehicles and seized 75 as the result of an operation in 12 West African countries, the Аfrique-sur7 news agency reported on Sunday. The vehicles were stolen in the EU and Canada before being smuggled, it added. Operation 'Safe Wheels' was carried out from March 17 to 30 in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. Most of the stolen vehicles were transported from Canada, with others reported stolen in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Toyota models were the most represented among the seized vehicles, followed by Peugeot and Honda. In Lagos, Nigeria, customs officers discovered six vehicles in freight containers arriving from Canada. Four of the vehicles showed signs of break-in and all six were confirmed as stolen in Canada in 2024. David Caunter, director of organized and emerging crime at Interpol, stated, 'Each year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen around the world, yet the initial theft is often only the beginning of a vehicle's journey into the global criminal underworld.' 'Stolen vehicles are trafficked across the globe, traded for drugs and other illicit commodities, enriching organized crime groups and even terrorists,' he added. According to Interpol's press service, stolen vehicles uncovered during the operation were smuggled using both land and maritime routes. The operation also led to the initiation of 18 new investigations and uncovered the involvement of two organized crime groups. During the 'Screen West Africa 2024' operation, more than 100 luxury vehicles stolen from Canada and various European countries were recovered, revealing a network that smuggled stolen cars into West Africa, Interpol's press service announced in January. Nearly half of the recovered vehicles were traced back to Canada. 'The proceeds from these stolen vehicles often fund organized crime activities, including arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and terror networks,' the press service said. In 2024, approximately 270,000 vehicles were identified as stolen globally through the Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database.
Business Insider
02-05-2025
- Business Insider
INTERPOL tracks down 150 stolen vehicles from Canada to Nigeria, other African countries
The INTERPOL has cracked down on car theft, resulting in the total discovery of 150 stolen vehicles, primarily from Canada, being smuggled into Nigeria and other West African nations. Operation Safe Wheels discovered 150 stolen cars, primarily from Canada, smuggled into Nigeria and other West African nations INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle database revealed that most stolen vehicles detected originated from countries like Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands The operation involved 12 West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, and targeted the illicit trade of stolen vehicles The discovery came during an INTERPOL operation code-named Operation Safe Wheels, a two-week initiative in March 2025 involving 12 West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, which uncovered dozens of stolen vehicles across the region. The operation has led to the seizure of more than 75 vehicles so far. Globally, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen every year, often becoming part of a larger illicit trade. According to INTERPOL, most stolen vehicles detected through their database originated from countries like Canada, with others reported stolen in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. In 2024 alone, around 270,000 vehicles were identified as stolen worldwide using INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle (SMV) database. This database enables police in 196 member countries to instantly verify if a suspicious vehicle has been reported stolen. David Caunter, Director of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, emphasized the significance of the SMV database, saying: " Each year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are stolen around the world, yet the initial theft is often only the beginning of a vehicle's journey into the global criminal underworld." " Stolen vehicles are trafficked across the globe, traded for drugs and other illicit commodities, enriching organized crime groups and even terrorists. INTERPOL's SMV database is the strongest tool we have to track stolen vehicles and identify the criminals involved in this global trade." Stolen cars smuggled to Africa Law enforcement agencies in 12 participating countries conducted a two-week operation, setting up an average of 46 checkpoints daily to inspect 12,600 vehicles against INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle database. The operation uncovered several stolen vehicles, predominantly Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda models, trafficked via land and sea routes. In one notable incident, Nigerian Customs Service officers discovered six stolen vehicles – Toyota and Lexus models – in freight containers from Canada. INTERPOL's database confirmed these vehicles were reported stolen in Canada in 2024, prompting ongoing investigations between Nigeria and Canada. The operation, dubbed "Safe Wheels," was supported by INTERPOL's SMV Task Force and funded by the Government of Canada under the "Project Drive Out" partnership, aimed at combating vehicle theft and illicit spare part trade.
