US Customs seize $200k stolen bulldozer wey dey go Ghana!
US Customs and Border Protection officers for Baltimore intercept tractor wey worth pass $200,000 before dem for ship am go West Africa, according to officials. Dem seize am for port wey dey Baltimore.
CBP's Baltimore Field Office talk say dem discover the stolen tractor during routine export exam when the bulldozer ein vehicle identification number match Carroll County stolen vehicle report.
“CBP officers contact Carroll County Sheriff's Office den dem confirm say the theft report still dey active,” Baltimore Field Office talk for release.
Baltimore Field Office confirm say the tractor dey worth around $237,000. Dem talk say Ghana be popular destination for stolen vehicles, as 28 out of 151 exports go West Africa dey head go the country for 2024. CBP officers no elaborate further give reason why Ghana be popular destination.
“Customs and Border Protection officers dey continue combat transnational criminal organizations by interrupting the international trade for stolen vehicles for our seaports,” na so Jason Kropiewnicki, CBP's acting area port director for Baltimore talk. “We go continue secure our nation ein borders, recover stolen vehicle exports, den work with our federal, state, den local law enforcement partners for hold these criminal organizations accountable.”
CBP dey screen international travelers den cargo. E dey search for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds den pests den other illicit products wey fit harm America.
Bulldozer ein smuggling dey reveal bold criminal syndicates
CBP officers surprise when dem see stolen bulldozer wey dem dey smuggle through Port of Baltimore. Officers wey dey CBP’s Area Port of Baltimore be among the busiest when e come intercepting stolen vehicles. Often, dem dey smuggle dem out of U.S., hide inside containers. The stolen vehicles mostly be SUVs, sedans, vans, den pickup trucks.
West Africa be hot spot for stolen vehicles
Last year, about 60 percent, or 151 of the 250 stolen vehicles wey officers for Baltimore Field Office recover, dey destined for West African nations. The seizure of the bulldozer be indication say criminal syndicates wey dey involve for exporting stolen vehicles from U.S. dey become daring.