Interpol identifies over 1,500 stolen Canadian vehicles worldwide since February

In a shocking revelation, more than 1,500 vehicles stolen in Canada have been identified by police forces around the world since the RCMP started sharing data with Interpol in February. This places Canada among the top ten sources for stolen vehicles out of 137 countries sharing data, according to a statement from Interpol’s headquarters in Lyon, France.

Interpol highlighted Canada’s emergence as a key source country for stolen motor vehicles, particularly high-value models like SUVs and crossovers. Many of these stolen vehicles end up in the Middle East and West Africa, where they are traded or resold.

The international police agency emphasized the importance of information-sharing and investigative tactics to locate and retrieve stolen vehicles and parts. In a recent operation in West Africa, RCMP officers and Interpol agents recovered 65 stolen vehicles, some of which were traced back to Canada.

The federal government estimates that 90,000 vehicles are reported stolen every year in Canada, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada reporting 105,000 stolen vehicles in 2022. This surge in auto theft has been labeled as a “national crisis” by the IBC, with $1.2 billion in insurance claims paid out as a result.

To address this issue, the government held a national summit in Ottawa and announced $28 million in funding to enhance the Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to search containers leaving the country. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, along with CBSA and RCMP officials, are set to testify before a parliamentary committee on the matter. The fight against car theft in Canada is intensifying, with efforts being made to combat the international criminal networks behind these crimes.