23 Stolen Cars Found At Port Of Newark, Ready To Be Shipped To Africa

ELIZABETH, NJ — Monmouth County is one of the most targeted areas in the state when it comes to car thefts.

Law enforcement previously said that cars stolen in Monmouth are most often driven up the Parkway to parking lots at Newark airport and Elizabeth to "cool off" and remain hidden from police. After that, they are loaded onto container ships at the Port of New York/Newark, and shipped to West Africa, where they are re-sold.

And just this past Friday, March 17, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari announced his team — working with federal agents — foiled a plot to ship 23 stolen cars from Newark to Togo, Ghana and Monrovia, all in West Africa.

"Operation Terminus" was done by the Hudson County Sheriff, U.S. Coast Guard, the Port Authority, NJ State Police, plus Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The investigation started Feb. 13 and recovered a total of 23 stolen vehicles attempting to be shipped out of the Port of New York/Newark.

They were all destined to be sent to Western African countries: Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Monrovia and Liberia, said Schillari.

The stolen vehicles had an estimated value of $1.33 million, officials said.

Additionally, 109 rounds of various caliber ammunition were found concealed in one vehicle destined for Nigeria, said the sheriff.

“Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to stop criminal activity, and prevent the flow of profits going to the organizations behind the crimes,” said Ricky Patel, special agent in charge for the Homeland Security Investigations headquarters in Newark.

According to the Hudson County Sheriff, these are the top cars stolen in New Jersey for 2022:

• Honda Accord
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Honda CR-V
• BMW X5
• BMW 3-Series
• Hyundai Sonata
• Land Rover Range Rover Sport
• Land Rover Range Rover
• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3 BMW X6

Past reporting on this topic:

Three Sentenced in Luxury Car Theft Rings: Cars stolen in Middlesex County were recovered at the Newark Port and Port Elizabeth shipping terminals (2016)

Bring Back Cash Bail For Car Theft, Burglary Suspects: Middletown Mayor (Sept. 2022)

8 Suburban NJ Towns Targeted In Luxury Car Thefts