A yearslong car theft epidemic in Canada has worsened despite police crackdowns, with thieves breaking into homes to steal keys. The surge is driven by a booming black market for Western vehicles in wartime Russia, where export bans have not curbed demand for SUVs and trucks. Interpol received 4,798 reports of stolen Canadian vehicles found in Russia from February 2024 to July 2026, making Russia the top international destination for such thefts.

Pickup trucks like Dodge Rams, Toyota Tundras, and Ford F-150s are especially targeted. Renato Schipani of Interpol stated the cars are "stolen to order." Daniil Aleynik, a Russian national held in a Ukrainian jail, noted the convenience of stealing cars in Canada. Law enforcement is investigating whether some stolen trucks are used on battlefields; Russian state TV showed Dodge Rams at a drone factory, and satellite imagery suggests Toyota Tundras transport Shahed drones in Iran.

Canadian officials have invested tens of millions since 2021, reducing theft rates, but high-value vehicles continue flowing through ports. Bryan Gast of Équité Association said "the majority of the high value vehicles are still being stolen for export — that's where the money is.".