US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Baltimore have intercepted a stolen bulldozer worth about $237,000 that was being shipped overseas to Ghana.
The heavy-duty 2015 Caterpillar D8T was flagged on September 3 during a routine export inspection at the Area Port of Baltimore. A quick check of its vehicle identification number revealed it had been reported stolen in Carroll County, Maryland. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the theft, prompting CBP officers to seize the equipment before it could leave the port.
Jason Kropiewnicki, Acting Area Port Director for Baltimore, said the seizure highlights CBP’s commitment to disrupting international smuggling operations.
“Customs and Border Protection officers continue to combat transnational criminal organisations by interrupting the international trade in stolen vehicles at our seaports. We will continue to secure our nation’s borders, recover stolen vehicle exports, and work with our partners to hold these criminal organisations accountable,” he said.
Baltimore has become one of the busiest ports in the United States for intercepting stolen vehicles. In 2024 alone, the Baltimore Field Office recovered 250 stolen vehicle exports, with about 60% bound for West Africa. Ghana accounted for 28 of those shipments, making it one of the frequent destinations for stolen machinery and vehicles.
Nationwide, CBP reported seizing 1,445 stolen vehicles in 2024, a 10% jump from 2023 and an 81% increase compared to 2021. While improved security measures by car manufacturers, dealers, and insurers helped reduce theft cases by 17% last year, authorities warn that the smuggling of stolen vehicles overseas remains a growing challenge.
Beyond vehicle recoveries, CBP officers at US ports also screen cargo and travellers daily, intercepting illicit drugs, unreported currency, counterfeit goods, and other contraband that threaten America’s security and economy.
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