Popular car brands such as Toyota, Peugeot, and Honda have emerged as top targets in a sophisticated vehicle trafficking network recently uncovered by INTERPOL across 12 West African countries.
The revelation came as part of a broader operation that led to the discovery of around 150 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 75 during a two-week crackdown dubbed Operation Safe Wheels.
The operation, coordinated by INTERPOL and involving national security agencies in Ghana, Nigeria, and other West African states, found that criminals are increasingly targeting trusted and in-demand vehicle brands for transnational trafficking.
The stolen cars, many of which originated from Canada, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, are believed to be trafficked into West Africa due to high resale value, availability of spare parts, and brand popularity.
