More stolen vehicles recovered at Savannah, Charleston seaports

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Customs and Border Patrol Officers have recovered 18 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $1.1 million from the Port of Savannah and Charleston in 2024 alone that were destined for countries like Ghana, Libya, Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year, CBP officers intercepted 59 stolen vehicles through both Lowcountry ports which were estimated to be valued at about $7,597,528.

“Our officers and law enforcement partners have a major role in the battle against Transnational Criminal Organizations,” said Gregory Alvarez, Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Atlanta Field Office. “Intercepting these stolen vehicles allows for victims to recover a significant personal item and disrupts the flow of money to criminal enterprises both foreign and domestic.”

This year, the recovered vehicles mainly came from Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. According to CBP, several models of cars were stolen including Bentleys, Mercedes and Cadillacs as well as a Dodge truck.

Police say that, in some cases, the victims did not know a crime had occurred until they were contacted by officers. This is because many were obtained fraudulently through car dealerships and rental companies.

The recovered stolen vehicles were turned over to the Georgia Port Authority Police and South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions.