The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to combating the rapidly evolving threat of transnational vehicle crime, describing it as “a highly coordinated international criminal economy” that fuels other illicit networks.
Speaking after participating in INTERPOL’s 5th Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, COP Donkor highlighted the increasingly sophisticated strategies used by criminal groups and the need for global collaboration to counter them.
“Vehicle crime has grown into a highly coordinated international criminal economy. A single stolen vehicle can travel across several borders, support other illicit activities and strengthen organised criminal networks. Confronting this threat requires strong intelligence, advanced tools and global cooperation,” she said.
COP Donkor noted that the conference brought together global law enforcement leaders and experts who examined how digital forensics, AI-based analysis and modern investigative tools are reshaping the global response to vehicle crime.
“I joined global law enforcement leaders at INTERPOL’s 5th Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, where experts examined how digital forensics, AI-based analysis and modern investigative capabilities are reshaping the global response to vehicle crime. The conversations confirmed what we see in our work every day. Criminal techniques are changing and law enforcement must stay ahead through innovation and collaboration,” she emphasized.
According to her, many of the strategies highlighted at the conference are already being implemented by the CID in Ghana as part of its enhanced approach to vehicle crime investigations.
“We apply a strong financial crime approach through follow-the-money techniques, proceeds tracing and asset recovery. We have also deepened intelligence sharing with regional and international partners, which supports quick recovery and verification of stolen vehicles. Our ongoing collaboration with ports, shipping lines, transport operators and insurance bodies directly addresses vulnerabilities identified in the global freight and logistics sector,” COP Donkor explained.
The CID’s strengthened operational framework, she said, has begun yielding international recognition. Recent vehicle crime operations conducted by the Department have attracted attention from global security institutions, with Ghana being commended for its strong investigative results and effective cross-border partnerships.
“Recent CID operations on vehicle crime have gained international attention, and Ghana has been commended for its strong investigative results and effective cross-border cooperation. This recognition reinforces Ghana’s position as a stable and secure environment for business, travel and investment. Ghana stands actively engaged in the international fight against vehicle crime, and we will continue to play a leading role in shaping solutions that safeguard communities,” she added.
The INTERPOL Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, one of the organisation’s flagship security platforms, convenes stakeholders from law enforcement, industry, transport, insurance, ports and digital investigation sectors to address emerging trends in vehicle theft, trafficking and misuse across borders.
With Ghana increasingly positioned as a regional leader in security innovation and international collaboration, the CID says it remains committed to staying ahead of criminal networks through proactive intelligence, advanced investigative tools and deepened global partnerships.
