U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Area Port of Houston/Galveston have intercepted 32 stolen vehicles since October 2024, stopping their illegal export to countries in the Middle East, West Africa, Central America, and South America.
The recovered vehicles are valued at more than $3 million. Officers flagged these vehicles for inspection before they could be exported from the United States. During these inspections, CBP officers found discrepancies in export documentation and discovered that the vehicles had been reported stolen from various locations across the country.
“These interceptions highlight the critical role CBP plays in protecting American communities and businesses from criminal activity,” said Area Port Director Thomas Mahn. “Our officers are dedicated to ensuring that stolen property does not leave the country and that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.”
The types of stolen vehicles ranged from luxury sedans to pickup trucks. This variety points to organized criminal networks targeting a wide range of vehicles for illegal export.
CBP’s work at Houston/Galveston is part of a larger effort aimed at stopping transnational criminal organizations that use global trade routes for illegal activities. By finding stolen vehicles before they can be shipped out of the country, CBP aims to reduce crime and protect international trade.
CBP asks members of the public to report any suspicious activity related to stolen vehicles or export fraud through help.cbp.gov.
According to data published by CBP, on a typical day during Fiscal Year 2024, its personnel performed numerous law enforcement actions including seizures and arrests as part of their mission: On a Typical Day in Fiscal Year 2024, CBP... | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CBP describes itself as America's largest law enforcement agency with over 65,000 employees working across land, air, and sea domains to secure borders while supporting legal travel and trade.
