The Ivorian government intensified its crackdown on economic and financial crimes on Saturday with the public auction of 34 seized vehicles, marking a new milestone in the work of the Criminal Assets Management and Recovery Agency (AGRAC).
The auction, held at the former Sébroko Hotel in Attécoubé, Abidjan, drew a crowd of around 250 participants from across the country, reflecting increasing public interest in transparent justice-driven asset recovery initiatives.
The sale was overseen by judicial commissioner Maître Kouamé Ané Jean Bruce Of the 36 vehicles put on the block, 34 were sold.
The diverse fleet included nine metered taxis, eight private cars — among them three high-end luxury models — thirteen industrial machines such as graders, dump trucks, and semi-trailers, five utility vehicles, and one minibus.
These vehicles had been seized during ongoing criminal investigations. According to Ivorian law, assets can be auctioned before the conclusion of a trial if they are no longer essential to the judicial process or are at risk of devaluation.
This legal framework ensures the preservation of value and allows proceeds to be used constructively.
The funds collected from the auction are expected to support victim compensation and bolster national efforts against money laundering and terrorism financing.
Part of the revenue may be reinvested in enhancing the capabilities of judicial and law enforcement bodies, reinforcing the country’s institutional resilience to economic crimes.
This auction was AGRAC’s ninth overall and the fifth held in 2025 alone, signaling the agency’s growing momentum.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to the principle that “no one should profit from their crime,” and stressed that the transparent recovery and redistribution of illicit assets is crucial to restoring public trust and promoting justice.
AGRAC’s activities form a critical component of Ivory Coast’s broader strategy to curb corruption and financial wrongdoing, showcasing a determination to turn seized criminal wealth into public good.
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