Ghana Police Intensify Crackdown on Car Theft Syndicates and Arms Smuggling Operations

The Ghana Police Service has recorded significant successes in combating organized crime, marked by the arrest of seven suspects linked to a high-profile vehicle theft syndicate and the interception of unauthorized ammunition. The Inspector-General of Police’s Special Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET) led a successful digital operation following a report on May 25, 2026, regarding a stolen blue Hyundai Elantra in Nkawkaw. Utilizing advanced digital tracking, officers traced the vehicle to a hideout in Roman Down, Asamankese, where they recovered two additional unregistered Hyundai vehicles. The suspects, aged between 24 and 38, including Acheampong Otuo Kofi and Kpachen Ebenezer, are currently in custody as investigations continue into their broader network.

In a separate but equally critical security operation on May 27, 2026, police at a snap checkpoint in Apam, Central Region, intercepted a Toyota Voxy vehicle transporting arms and ammunition without authorization. The driver, Francis Ampomah, was traveling from Accra to Assin Fosu when officers discovered 14 boxes of shotgun ammunition concealed in the vehicle. This arrest highlights the vigilance of the police in curbing the illegal transit of weaponry. Meanwhile, in Accra, the Circuit Court has remanded Anthony Boateng and Francis Amoh for an armed robbery occurring in January 2026, where they allegedly stole valuables worth over GH¢96,000 from a local businessman at gunpoint.

The reach of Ghanaian law enforcement is increasingly intersecting with international investigations, as evidenced by a major fraud probe in Saskatoon, Canada. Authorities there revealed that a luxury Land Rover, acquired through sophisticated identity fraud in January 2025, was clandestinely exported and traced to Ghana. This investigation, which also involved a fraudulently purchased BMW X5, led to the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect in Edmonton. These cases underscore the rising complexity of identity-related crimes and the necessity for cross-border collaboration between Ghanaian and international law enforcement agencies to dismantle global theft rings.

On the international stage, the broader implications of digital crime were further highlighted by the guilty plea of 60-year-old Kenneth Law in Ontario, Canada. Law admitted to 14 counts of aiding suicide by selling toxic chemicals online to individuals in 40 countries, including the UK. While this case originated outside Ghana, it reflects the global challenge of regulating illicit online trade. As Ghanaian authorities continue to process local suspects and collaborate on international leads, the Police Administration has urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information to help identify car-jacking syndicates and other criminal elements within their communities.