Some of the recovered vehicles
Ghana has been identified as one of the destinations for vehicles stolen in the United States by an organised auto theft and trafficking syndicate, following the indictment of six individuals accused of stealing cars and exporting them to buyers, including recipients in the country.
A statement released by the US Attorney’s Office at the District of Columbia said the suspects are part of a sophisticated, D.C.-based car theft ring that allegedly stole at least 20 vehicles and sold them across the U.S. and Ghana, with investigations suggesting the network may be linked to the theft of more than 100 vehicles.
A 15-count indictment, unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., outlines how the group operated across multiple states, targeting mostly newer models such as Honda Civics, CRVs and Acura sedans and SUVs.
Prosecutors alleged the syndicate used advanced electronic devices to bypass vehicle security systems, reprogramming cars to accept blank key fobs, thereby effectively allowing them to steal vehicles without physical keys.
After stealing the cars, the group reportedly transported them across state lines to storage locations, including a parking garage in Southeast Washington, according to the statement.
The release said at these facilities, the stolen vehicles were disguised by swapping licence plates and tampering with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), while GPS and Bluetooth systems were disabled to avoid detection before resale or export.
The suspects named in the indictment include Jacob Hernandez, Dustin Wetzel, James Young, Khobe David and Chance Clark. A sixth suspect remains at large, with details sealed by the court.
Investigators stated that the operation extended beyond Washington, D.C., into Pennsylvania and Maryland, including Prince George’s County, where more than 30 vehicles are believed to have been stolen.
As part of ongoing investigations, law enforcement officers also executed a search warrant at an automobile storage facility in Decatur, Georgia, suspected to be linked to the syndicate.
All six individuals face charges of conspiracy to possess, transport and sell stolen motor vehicles.
The case is being handled by the Metropolitan Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with support from local law enforcement agencies.
By Ernest Kofi Adu