Six people now face charges in the United States after investigators uncovered an alleged cross-border car theft network that is said to have shipped stolen vehicles to Ghana.
Authorities say the group operated for months across several American states before federal agents disrupted the scheme.
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia unsealed a 15-count indictment after a year-long investigation.
Prosecutors allege that the suspects stole vehicles from areas around Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, then prepared them for export.
Investigators say the group directly stole at least 20 vehicles linked to the case.
They also suspect a much wider pattern, pointing to over 100 stolen cars in Washington, D.C., and more than 30 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Authorities named the accused as Jacob Hernandez, Dustin Wetzel, James Young, Khobe David, and Chance Clark.
One additional suspect has not yet been arrested, and officials have not disclosed that person’s identity.
According to prosecutors, the group mainly targeted modern vehicles such as Honda Civics, Honda CRVs, Acura TLXs, and Acura RDXs.
They allegedly used electronic tools to override security systems and create new access using blank key fobs.
After stealing the vehicles, the suspects reportedly moved them into storage locations, including a parking facility in Southeast Washington. There, they worked to disguise the cars before transport.
Investigators say the suspects changed licence plates, altered vehicle identification numbers, and shut down tracking systems like GPS and Bluetooth. They then moved the vehicles into shipping channels.
Some of the stolen cars, authorities say, were packed into containers in Baltimore and shipped overseas, with Ghana identified as one of the destinations.
Law enforcement officers also searched a vehicle storage site in Decatur, Georgia, where they recovered several cars believed to be part of the operation.
The six accused individuals face conspiracy charges related to the possession, transport, and sale of stolen motor vehicles.
U.S. officials stressed that the indictment does not equal guilt, and all defendants remain presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
Multiple agencies, including the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., and Prince George’s County Police, worked together on the investigation.
Officials say the case highlights a growing international trade in stolen vehicles, with West Africa emerging as a key destination.
They also expect increased scrutiny of shipping routes and import checks following the revelations.
Investigators believe the case may represent only a fraction of a wider criminal network still under examination.
