- EOCO has revealed that as many as 10,000 stolen vehicles may be entering Ghana annually, citing alarming trends uncovered during recent investigations.
- The agency says its operations are data-driven, targeting garages and dealerships linked to suspicious imports.
- Buyers are being urged to verify vehicle histories with EOCO or INTERPOL, as customs clearance alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy.
- Out of 300 cars under investigation, 66 were recovered — and over 70% of additional intercepts turned out to be stolen.
Ghana’s used car market may be hiding a much bigger problem than buyers realize — and EOCO is sounding the alarm.
According to the Economic and Organised Crime Office, up to 10,000 stolen vehicles could be slipping into the country each year. The revelation came during a recent interview on TV3’s The Key Points, where EOCO’s Head of Legal and Prosecution, Leo Anthony Siamah, broke down the agency’s findings.
Far from random roadside stops, EOCO’s operations rely on a detailed database that tracks suspicious vehicles to specific garages and dealerships. Out of 300 cars flagged for investigation, 66 were confirmed stolen. But what shocked investigators even more was that over 70% of vehicles intercepted outside the original list also turned out to be stolen — suggesting the problem is far more widespread than previously thought.
Siamah warned that buyers have no legal protection if they unknowingly purchase a stolen vehicle. Even if customs duties have been paid, that doesn’t make the car legitimate. He urged the public to verify vehicle histories through EOCO or INTERPOL before finalizing any purchase.
The agency has also flagged certain brands — including Honda CR-Vs, Ford F-150s, Range Rovers, and Dodge Rams — as high-risk imports, especially when they appear accident-free and unusually new.
With Ghana’s $1.5 billion used car market vulnerable to international smuggling networks, EOCO says public vigilance is key. Their message to buyers is simple: don’t get caught driving someone else’s stolen dream.
