From AFP Via GulfNews

If luxury cars have become a more common sight on African roads, that is in part due to it becoming a prime destination for cars lifted off European streets.

Africa, along with Russia, is believed by Interpol to be the top destination for the quarter of a million unrecovered stolen vehicles in Europe in the past five years.

According to Sebastian Schmucker, in charge of combating the trafficking of stolen vehicles at the international police agency, cars stolen in northern Europe usually end up in Russia, while those in southern Europe are shipped to Africa.

Right-hand drive cars stolen from Britain often end up in South Africa, where driving is also on the left.

“Isolated thefts just because a car is beautiful don’t exist anymore,” Schmucker said. “The trafficking of stolen cars is part of organized crime, of drugs, weapons and even terrorism, which it finances. It is relatively simple and the risk is low,” he added.

If the number of cars stolen has recently dipped, their value has increased.

Read more at AFP Via GulfNews