The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception and return of 21 stolen luxury vehicles, including high-end brands like Rolls Royce and Lamborghini, valued at several billions of naira, to Canadian authorities.
The seized vehicles, which also include three 2021 Toyota Highlanders, a Mercedes-AMG GT, a Lamborghini Huracan, a Mercedes-Benz G550, a 2019 Lamborghini model, a Range Rover Sport, two additional Range Rovers (2023 and 2018 models), and others, were recovered from various locations, including Lekki, Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, and Onne Port in Rivers State.
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Speaking during the handover of the vehicles on Tuesday, Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi revealed that the operation targeted international vehicle trafficking syndicates exploiting West Africa as a hub for stolen car trades.
“Over the past several months, we have intensified our operations against vehicle trafficking syndicates operating within our borders,” Adeniyi stated.
He added that INTERPOL reports have identified West Africa as a prominent destination in a global network of stolen vehicle trafficking stretching across Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
The recovery and return of the vehicles signify an ongoing effort by the Nigeria Customs Service to collaborate with international law enforcement to combat cross-border crime, protect international property rights, and uphold the integrity of trade routes in the region.