At the request of Interpol Ghana, a project started with the VbV, NCB The Hague and Digitpol, a pilot has been started to trace and seize dozens of Dutch vehicles and return them to the rightful owners. This pilot project is being carried out in collaboration with Interpol Ghana, Interpol Netherlands, VbV, DIGITPOL, a law firm in Accra and Retrieve International Recovery. This pilot has already achieved some successes and the first vehicles have been returned to the Netherlands. The first container was unloaded in the port of Rotterdam on the 28th of May 2024.
Seizure in Ghana
In Ghana, stolen vehicles are seized based on international alerts. The Interpol office in Accra informs the Ghanaian police about this and asks to seize the vehicle. Joint efforts are carried out with the project partners to trace the vehicles on the ground. After the vehicle has been seized, the release procedure starts. This procedure is coordinated by VbV.
Challenging release procedure
The pilot has learned that the procedure for freeing vehicles in Accra can rightly be called ‘challenging’. Not only must the necessary documents be collected from the insurer that has taken legal action, but it is also necessary to engage a lawyer on site. The lawyer then carries out proceedings at a local court in Accra to obtain a judgment to award the vehicle to the rightful party, who acts there on behalf of VbV. The vehicle must then be handed over to the lawyer before the repatriation can be initiated. In all this, cultural aspects and practices as they exist and are customary on site must be taken into account.
Repatriation
Once the vehicles are released, the process of repatriation begins. For this purpose, a number of executors must be contacted, such as shipping companies and shipping agents. In addition, formalities with customs must be completed. Only when all this has been arranged can the ‘mooring lines’ be released and the vehicles travel the opposite way across the ocean. A specialised recovery company, Retrieve International Recovery whom is the recovery partner has handled the complex operation.
Result
The first container has arrived in the port of Rotterdam on 28th of May 2024, the long trip consisted of a stops in Morocco and Spain. The next transport is now planned.
Disruption of the criminal process
The aim of the pilot is to disrupt the criminal process. VbV’s view is that failure to intervene can be interpreted as a form of facilitating criminal activities. This was also the objection of Interpol Ghana and by starting the pilot the wishes of the Ghanaian police are therefore also being met. Although it costs money to free and repatriate the vehicles, the cost of claims for the insurer will ultimately be lower on balance. Moreover, a signal is sent that crime should not pay.
Digitpol operates as an International Stolen Vehicle Recovery & Investigation Team, offering global assistance in the search and recovery of stolen vehicles. The organization is dedicated to tracing and locating stolen cars on an international scale, providing comprehensive support throughout the process. If your car is stolen you need to report the theft immediately to the nearest police station and then request Digitpol to support the search. As soon as the theft is reported to the police, the Police issues an International warrant based on the VIN and License plate. The vehicle is then wanted internationally and on the Interpol SMV database. Stolen Vehicle Investigation consists of tracing and locating stolen vehicles and the recovery consists of the repatriation of discovered stolen vehicles to its rightful owner.
The Belgian police recently busted a criminal organization that was responsible for several car thefts in Belgium and the Netherlands, mainly of the car brand Toyota. These stolen cars were always stacked in sea containers with the intention of shipping them to Africa, the Belgian Public Prosecution Service says.
Four Dutch people in their twenties were also arrested during the police action. The Belgian Public Prosecution Service has requested their extradition. Read the full article from the AD here.
The VBV article can be found in Dutch here
