Freetown, Sierra Leone – Serious questions are being raised after six high-value vehicles, previously seized as allegedly stolen from Canada, reportedly vanished from police custody.
The saga began on July 23, 2025, when Minister of Internal Affairs Morie Lengor conducted an official inspection at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay (commonly known as WaterQuay) in Freetown.
During the visit, authorities displayed the impounded fleet, which consisted of a brand-new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Defender and five Lexus RX 350 SUVs. The vehicles had been intercepted on suspicion of being part of international auto-theft networks that frequently export stolen luxury cars from North America to West Africa.
Following the minister’s inspection, the vehicles were relocated from the quay to the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) headquarters in Hastings for what officials described as secure storage.
However, multiple credible sources have since alleged that all six vehicles have mysteriously disappeared from the TOCU facility, sparking widespread concern over security lapses and possible internal irregularities.
When reached for comment, RPG Roberts, Head of Crime Intelligence Services at the Sierra Leone Police, confirmed that the vehicles remain in police custody. He declined to provide further details on their current location or condition, stating only that “a decision has been taken on them.”
The incident has intensified public scrutiny at a time when Sierra Leone continues efforts to combat cross-border crime, including the trafficking of stolen vehicles, a problem that has affected several West African nations in recent years.
Police say investigations into the matter are actively ongoing, with authorities yet to disclose whether the disappearance involves theft, administrative error, or other factors.
As the probe deepens, many Sierra Leoneans are calling for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of high-profile seizures to restore public confidence in the system.
Further updates are expected as the Sierra Leone Police provides more information.
Source: Global Times
