US Authorities Recover 603 Stolen Vehicles Worth $36 Million Before Shipment To West Africa

U.S. authorities said they recovered 603 stolen vehicles valued at more than $36 million from shipping containers at the ports of New York and New Jersey before they could be shipped to overseas buyers, with about half reportedly destined for West Africa.

The record seizures—the highest recovered at a U.S. port in a single year—were announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port Director TenaVel Thomas during a press conference on October 1, 2026.

According to Thomas, approximately 50 per cent of the vehicles were headed to West Africa, around 15 per cent were destined for the Dominican Republic, while the remaining vehicles were intended for other overseas markets.

Many of the cars were stolen from neighbourhoods across the United States before being concealed inside shipping containers for export. Some reportedly had altered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and fraudulent documentation designed to evade detection.

Among the vehicles highlighted by authorities were a red Porsche 911 sports coupe valued at approximately $207,000 and Ram pickup trucks worth about $91,000 each. A Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV and a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class were also seen in footage showing the recovered vehicles.

Michael McCarthy, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Newark, said the operation prevented more than $36 million in stolen property from leaving the country.

“Now you’ve heard the numbers … but behind those numbers are real victims,” McCarthy said, according to Hudson County View. He added that the vehicles had been taken from families, commuters and small businesses.

McCarthy also highlighted overseas demand for the stolen vehicles, saying: “Luxury SUVs for the rough roads of West Africa. Every day, sedans retagged for the Dominican Republic. That demand is fueling violence and fraud right here in New Jersey,” according to News 12 New Jersey.

Authorities said the operation forms part of a broader effort to dismantle organised vehicle-theft networks. Since 2021, the Auto Export Crimes Task Force has dismantled four transnational criminal organisations, according to officials.

• See Also: Stolen $200,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Bound For Nigeria Found Inside Texas Shipping Container