Baltimore CBP Recovers $9.6M in Stolen Vehicle Exports in 2024

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Baltimore Field Office recovered 250 stolen vehicles destined for export during fiscal year 2024, representing a 27% drop from the previous year’s total. The combined value of these vehicles reached $9.6 million. While the local recovery numbers fell, national figures rose by 9%, totaling 1,445 stolen vehicle export interceptions across the United States.

Officials attribute the regional decline in recoveries to both heightened scrutiny from CBP officers and a shift in tactics by criminal organizations. The Baltimore Field Office has developed a strong reputation for effectively detecting stolen vehicle exports, leading many criminal groups to avoid shipping through Mid-Atlantic ports. These organizations, like legitimate businesses, perform risk assessments and are adjusting their operations to evade enforcement.

The Baltimore Field Office’s jurisdiction spans from Trenton, New Jersey, to the Virginia–North Carolina border, covering seaports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and Norfolk. Of the 250 vehicles intercepted in the region this year, 60% were headed to West African nations, with Nigeria alone accounting for 70 vehicles—28% of the total. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates were other prominent destinations, with 49 and 16 vehicles respectively bound for those countries.

The Port of Norfolk-Newport News ranked second nationally with 126 stolen vehicle recoveries, valued at $6.4 million. The Port of Baltimore followed closely with 94 recovered vehicles worth approximately $2.7 million. Vehicles were commonly hidden under household goods inside shipping containers to avoid detection. In total, 72 unique vehicle models were recovered, most commonly SUVs, which represented 72% of all recovered exports. The most frequently recovered model was the Toyota Highlander.

High-value recoveries included a 2020 Rolls Royce Cullinan, valued at $467,700 and bound for Turkey, as well as luxury vehicles destined for Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and the United Arab Emirates. The top five most valuable vehicles alone accounted for over $1 million of the total recovery value. Officers also intercepted a range of other vehicle types, including sedans, pickup trucks, minivans, and even motorcycles and utility vehicles.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release

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