A significant number of stolen vehicles ultimately find their way to Africa or the Middle East, leaving their owners with little recourse to recover them
January 28, 2024 at 19:10
Auto theft is becoming a rather unruly issue in the Great White North, and the Canadian government has decided it’s time for a national summit to tackle the situation. Interestingly, many of these stolen vehicles end up on distant shores in Africa or the Middle East, and Carscoops has been on the case, chronicling these automotive adventures.
According to the Canadian government, car theft rates are skyrocketing across the nation. In 2022, Quebec witnessed a staggering 50% surge, Ontario followed suit with a 48.3% jump, and even Atlantic Canada experienced a 34.5% increase.
In that same year, approximately 9,600 vehicles mysteriously vanished from the greater Toronto area (GTA), marking a staggering 300% increase since 2015, as reported by the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA).
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More: Stolen Canadian Cars Are Flooding West African Markets
Authorities report that these pilfered vehicles often find their way to Africa or the Middle East. As for the ones that remain in Canada, they tend to become unwitting accomplices in various crimes before meeting their untimely demise. Officials are pinning their hopes on a national summit scheduled for February 8th, aiming to initiate steps toward curbing this predicament.
“As a resident of the GTA, I have heard about and recognize the urgency of ensuring every Canadian feels safe in our communities and across the country,” said Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
“While our laws addressing auto theft and its connections to organized crime are robust, we are committed to exploring additional avenues to strengthen them further. Our government takes the issue of rising auto theft very seriously and are determined to work with all orders of government and partners to make our communities safer and more secure for all,” Virani added.
More: Canadian Car Thieves Stole 1 In Every 16 Lexus RX SUVs In 2021
Last year, a Porsche owner claimed to have located his stolen 911 GT3 RS for sale in Dubai, but he found himself with limited recourse. Another case, covered by the CBC, involved a man who had a stolen GMC equipped with an Apple AirTag, yet authorities couldn’t act swiftly enough, resulting in the SUV eventually making its way to the UAE.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that police are trying to curtail the issue. Authorities in Ottawa say that they’re working to shift resources to reduce auto theft. Toronto police recently busted thieves who allegedly stole $1.6 million worth of high-end automobiles including a Lamborghini, a Maybach, and a Ferrari.
