Freetown, July 25, 2025 — In a coordinated crackdown on international vehicle theft, six luxury vehicles stolen from Canada have been successfully traced and impounded in Sierra Leone, thanks to collaborative efforts between INTERPOL and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The high-end vehicles — including a brand-new 2025 Land Rover Defender and five Lexus RX 350 SUVs — were intercepted at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Cline Town, Freetown.
Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Mr. James Baggie Bio, led a delegation of senior management staff to inspect the seized cars.
“These vehicles will not make it onto our roads,” Mr. Bio declared. “We have permanently blocked them from the SLRSA registration system. No one will be able to register or legally operate them in Sierra Leone.”
As part of new reforms aimed at curbing vehicle-related crime, Mr. Bio announced a sweeping policy change: beginning September 1, 2025, the SLRSA will only register SUVs manufactured from 2017 onwards if they are accompanied by an official INTERPOL certificate verifying legal ownership and clearance.
“This is a strong message to criminals and a safeguard for legitimate car owners,” he said. “We are tightening the system to ensure Sierra Leone does not become a dumping ground for stolen vehicles.”
The SLRSA is also calling on the public to report any suspicious vehicles or activities that may be linked to vehicle fraud or theft. The agency reiterated its commitment to road safety, legal compliance, and the protection of national interests.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and have not ruled out the possibility of a wider smuggling network operating in the region.
