U.S. authorities have uncovered a large international car theft syndicate with links to Ghana, raising concerns about the country as a destination for stolen vehicles.
A 15-count indictment filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia charges six individuals for their alleged roles in a scheme that stole at least 20 vehicles across the Washington metropolitan area and Pennsylvania before shipping them to buyers in the United States and Ghana.
Investigators believe the operation may be far more extensive, potentially connected to over 100 vehicle thefts in Washington, D.C., and more than 30 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Authorities also executed a search warrant at a storage facility in Decatur, Georgia, suspected to be part of the network’s supply chain.
According to prosecutors, the syndicate used advanced electronic tools, including On-Board Diagnostics (OBD2) devices, to reprogram vehicles and bypass security systems. The suspects reportedly targeted newer models, altered identification details such as license plates and vehicle identification numbers, and disabled tracking systems to evade detection.
The stolen vehicles were then transported to storage locations before being shipped overseas, including to Ghana.
Those charged include Jacob Hernandez, Dustin Wetzel, James Young, Khobe David, and Chance Clark, while a sixth suspect remains at large. All face conspiracy charges related to possessing, transporting, and selling stolen vehicles.
The case is being investigated by agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement bodies. Prosecutors emphasized that the indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Ghana connection is expected to draw attention from local authorities and industry stakeholders amid ongoing concerns about the influx of stolen vehicles into West African markets.