Stolen Luxury Vehicles Bound for Ghana Intercepted in Canada, Valued at $800,000
- Canadian police disrupted a luxury carjacking network linked to Ghana, recovering vehicles worth $800,000
- Six suspects have been arrested in connection with armed robberies, facing charges such as money laundering
- Investigation highlighted sophisticated methods to alter identification numbers of the stolen vehicles for resale abroad
A carjacking network has been disrupted in Canada after luxury cars bound for Ghana were intercepted by law enforcement in the country.
The operation, led by Peel Regional Police and dubbed Project Stratis, followed a series of violent, armed carjackings reported across the Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area between January 18 and February 1, 2026.
Source: UGC
Investigators in Canada stated that the suspects primarily focused on high-end vehicles, particularly models manufactured by Mercedes-Benz.
According to the Peel police, personnel found that the group of suspects had established a system to alter vehicle identification numbers before shipping abroad, in addition to carrying out the robberies.
The investigation led to the execution of multiple search warrants, and law enforcement recovered eight stolen vehicles valued at approximately $800,000.
Police said the vehicles were found concealed in storage lockers, an auto body shop and shipping containers.
Two of the suspects were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to travel to Ghana.
In total, six individuals were arrested and are facing 30 charges, including robbery, conspiracy, possession of property obtained by crime and laundering the proceeds of crime.
They have been identified as:
- Rainer Fernando, 37, of Toronto
- Steven Walsom-Gerigs, 36, of Mount Forest
- Matthew Hymers, 21, of Listowel
- Bradley Walsom, 38, of Brampton
- Steven (Gisselle) Lopez, 22
- Samson Igbasan, 20, of Toronto
Ghana introduces reforms to vehicle licensing
Meanwhile, the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority in Ghana has unveiled a new design for number plates in the country, as part of sweeping reforms to the vehicle registration system, including enhanced tracking.
Among expected benefits, DVLA CEO Julius Kotey stated that the new plates would prevent smuggling, improve tracking, help with future automated toll collection, and make for easier identification.
This plan has since been held up by some legal challenges.
Source: Getty Images
EOCO flags top vehicles smuggled into Ghana
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has also identified Honda CR-Vs, Ford F-150s, Range Rovers, and Dodge as models commonly smuggled into Ghana.
In a clip shared on Facebook, representatives of the office urged buyers to investigate vehicles, especially new or spotless models, for potential theft.
The EOCO said it is using Interpol's database for vehicle verification and has a range of methods to crack down on stolen vehicles being illegally moved into Ghana.
The recent detention of Shatta Wale over his new Lamborghini has heightened concerns about stolen cars being put up for sale in the country.
US intercepts stolen cars headed for Ghana
In July 2025, YEN.com.gh reported that US Customs and Border Protection officials had foiled an attempt to smuggle stolen vehicles to Ghana.
The officials at the Port of Virginia stopped the shipment, which had been valued at approximately $150,000, in another interception effort.
Officials said the manifest indicated that the shipment contained several cars, but an X-ray scan showed the cars inside did not match the details.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
