Canadian Police Recover 40 Stolen Cars From Oversea-bound Containers, Ports In Ghana And Spain

Canadian Police recover 40 stolen cars worth over $2 million in oversea-bound shipping containers, ports in Ghana and Spain.

19 were recovered from shipping containers in Montreal and the Greater Toronto area, 21 found in ports in Bahamas, Spain and Ghana.

Recovered vehicles include Honda CRVs, Toyota Tundras, Lexus RXs, F150s and one Lamborghini, all estimated to be well over $3 million. 

As part of a Canadian initiative to fight organized car theft, a joint Barrie Police–South Simcoe Police investigation has resulted in the recovery of forty (40) stolen vehicles from oversea-bound shipping containers as well as ports from around the world.

Following referrals from Barrie Police, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers were able to recover the stolen vehicles as part of a complex and challenging three-month investigation dubbed Project Starter.

While 19 stolen cars were recovered from shipping containers in Montreal and the Greater Toronto area, 21 vehicles were found in other ports around the world including the Bahamas, Spain, and even Ghana.

The recovered vehicles include Honda CRVs, Toyota Tundra pickup trucks, Lexus RX SUVs, Ford F150 pickup trucks, and one Lamborghini, all estimated to be well over $3 million, Barrie Police said, while announcing the largest stolen vehicle recovery in its history.

According to the department, members of the Prevent Auto Thefts (PAT) arrested a 31-year-old man on April 24 in connection with the investigation. The unnamed person is being charged with trafficking property obtained by crime and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.

“This investigation is the direct result of a $1.8 million grant awarded to the Barrie-South Simcoe Police Services by the Ontario government in May 2024. This grant allowed for the extensive resources necessary, including the addition of a crime analyst who played an instrumental role in the investigation,” said Barrie Police Chief, Rich Johnston.

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