Reports reaching Igbo Tv this morning has it that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had confiscated 21 luxury vehicles stolen from Canada yesterday.
The vehicles which according to reports worth over ₦1.8 billion were stolen from Canada and brought to Nigeria by some criminal cartel.
According to Mr. Adewale Adeyini, the Comptroller General of Customs while addressing journalists at the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, Lagos, the issue of vehicle thefts have been on the rise since 2013 and 2015 when 54% of stolen vehicles from Europe, North and South America were recovered, which has also contributed negatively to Nigeria’s economy and reputation.
“The growing incidence of stolen vehicles finding their way into our region has become a matter of serious concern, as it not only undermines our legitimate automotive market but also strains our security infrastructure,” he said.
It was for this that the Nigerian Customs Service launched Operation Hot Wheels, a combined operation involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Canadian authorities, and international law enforcement agencies, focusing on intelligence sharing, surveillance, and interdiction to disrupt vehicle trafficking networks.
The Comptroller General also revealed that through this operation they have been able to uncover sophisticated smuggling techniques, which involves the use of containers to smuggle vehicles.
One of such containers, was intercepted at Onne port in Rivers State. Though the criminals falsely claimed the container held used vehicles and spare parts, the officers examined the container and discovered three 2021 Toyota Highlanders, two of which were stolen from Canada.
As of yesterday, the operation successfully seized 21 luxury vehicles in Lagos smuggled from Canada. Some of which includes; A Lamborghini Huracan and a Mercedes-AMG GT worth N630.8 million. A Rolls-Royce and a 2019 Lamborghini valued at N231.8 million and N239.1 million, respectively.
Two Range Rovers (2023 and 2018 models), worth N267.1 million, a Mercedes-Benz G550 and a Range Rover Sport, worth N506.8 million were also recovered.
They have all been returned to Canada says the NCS Comptroller General.
