A major police operation in Canada has dismantled an organised carjacking network with ties to Ghana, resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of high-end stolen vehicles destined for overseas shipment.
Led by Peel Regional Police, the operation, dubbed Project Stratis, targeted a series of violent, armed carjackings that occurred across Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area between January 18 and February 1, 2026.
Investigators said the suspects primarily targeted high-end vehicles, especially Mercedes-Benz models.
The group was not only carrying out the robberies but had also developed a system to alter vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and arrange for the vehicles to be resold or shipped abroad.
“Officers determined the accused were not only carrying out the robberies but also arranging for the stolen vehicles to be re-vinned and resold or shipped overseas to Ghana,” police said in a statement.
The investigation, supported by the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), led to the execution of multiple search warrants.
Authorities recovered eight stolen vehicles valued at approximately $800,000, along with two replica firearms.
Police noted that the vehicles were found concealed in storage lockers, an auto body shop, and shipping containers, evidence of a coordinated effort to move them out of the country.
In a key development, two suspects were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Ghana, following intelligence shared by border officials.
In total, six individuals were arrested and face 30 charges, including robbery, conspiracy, possession of property obtained by crime, and money laundering.
Authorities say the operation is part of broader efforts to dismantle organised auto theft networks across the region.
According to police data, auto theft has declined by 20 per cent, and reported carjackings have dropped by 79 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Commenting on the operation, Chief Nishan Duraiappah emphasised the broader impact of violent carjackings.
“Violent, armed carjackings and auto theft do more than steal property; they disrupt lives and take away a person’s sense of safety. No one should have to experience that. We have made significant progress in targeting these crimes and disrupting organised auto theft networks in our communities, and Project Stratis is another example of this critical work.”
Officials from the CBSA also highlighted the importance of intelligence-sharing in intercepting stolen vehicles and preventing suspects from fleeing the country.
The latest breakthrough underscores growing concerns about transnational vehicle theft operations, with authorities warning that stolen cars are increasingly being funnelled through complex international networks.
