7 Stolen Cars Are Nabbed In Newark Before Being Exported

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Brazen car thefts have been plaguing North Jersey for more than a year, but where are those cars going? On Thursday, local and federal law enforcement officials intercepted seven cars worth $50,000 to 73,000 that were about to be shipped to West African countries.

At the Port of New York/Newark, vehicles with an estimated value of $395,967 were intercepted as a result of a joint investigation among the Hudson County Sheriff's office, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), County Sheriff Frank Schillari's office announced Monday.

“This operation ... should serve as a warning to those exporting stolen vehicles that law enforcement is actively taking action to disrupt their criminal enterprise,” said Sheriff Schillari.

A similar investigation in March resulted in 23 cars being nabbed on the way to Togo, Ghana, and Monrovia.

Stolen Vehicles Recovered:

• 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor - $56,028
• 2021 Ford F150 Raptor - $73,805
• 2023 Hyundai Sante Fe - $37,037
• 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 Bighorn - $55,413
• 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie - $57,935
• 2020 Range Rover Sport - $64,933
• 2019 Audi Q8 - $50,816

The operation was also carried out in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, the New Jersey State Police, the New York Police Department (NYPD) Auto Crime Unit, the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) - Criminal Investigation Bureau, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.