Interpol has disclosed that more than 200 stolen Canadian vehicles are being located worldwide every week since February. This revelation comes following the integration of Canada’s stolen vehicle database with Interpol’s system earlier this year, facilitating the identification of over 1,500 stolen vehicles.
According to Interpol’s database, which aggregates data from 137 countries, Canada currently ranks among the top 10 countries globally for stolen vehicles. The attractiveness of Canada’s sought-after vehicle models, particularly SUVs and crossovers, has enticed thieves. These vehicles are often transported to regions in the Middle East and West Africa, where they are either traded or resold.
Jurgen Stock, Interpol’s secretary general, emphasized that stolen vehicles serve as a significant source of income for transnational organized crime syndicates. Notably, these stolen vehicles are not only used in drug trafficking but are also utilized as payment to other criminal networks.
The integration of Canada’s stolen vehicle database with Interpol’s system has significantly enhanced global efforts to combat vehicle theft and disrupt the activities of organized criminal groups involved in the illicit trade of stolen vehicles.
