A vintage Volkswagen Beetle has been recovered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection almost 40 years after being reported missing.
CBP says the 1965 Beetle was being shipped from Michigan to Finland, when the vehicle and its documents were examined by officers in Detroit on Jan. 30.
Officers learned the Volkswagen was reported stolen in Knoxville, Tennessee back in 1974.
Agents from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, along with CBP, worked to confirm that the vehicle matched the information reported to Knoxville Police nearly four decades ago.
“Part of safeguarding our nation is to make sure that all exports are legitimate and lawful,” said acting port director Marty Raybon. “Recovering a vehicle reported stolen 40 years ago is a testament to the vigilance and attention to detail on the part of CBP.”
The vehicle and its restoration parts were seized by CBP.
