Three High-Value Cars Seized in Virginia Port
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized three stolen vehicles valued at over $150,000 at the Port of Virginia on July 17, 2025, destined for Ghana. The interception, part of a crackdown on transnational smuggling syndicates, followed an X-ray scan revealing discrepancies in a container’s manifest, which falsely listed a 1990s Lincoln.
CBP Chief Officer James Askew noted the vehicles, all 2024 or newer models, were likely stolen from dealerships, rental agencies, or purchased with fake IDs. The Outbound Enforcement Team, led by Derek Lytle, identified the cars after the scan, with Darius Hawkins explaining smugglers pack up to four vehicles per container for high profits in West Africa.
In fiscal year 2025, CBP has intercepted over $6.5 million in stolen vehicles at Virginia’s ports, ranking second nationally after New York. The lucrative trade fuels losses for banks and rental companies, with syndicates using fake VINs to evade detection. Askew emphasized CBP’s adaptive tactics to counter evolving smuggling methods.
The seized vehicles, now processed for forfeiture, will be turned over to Virginia State Police for further investigation. Nationally, CBP recovered over 1,100 stolen vehicles in 2025, with 60% destined for West Africa, including 28 to Ghana, per CBP’s Baltimore Field Office report. The operation underscores Ghana’s role as a hub for second-hand vehicles.