Six individuals have been charged in federal court with operating a car theft ring that targeted vehicles in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, according to a federal indictment.

The alleged scheme involved stealing at least 20 cars with a combined value of nearly $1 million. Prosecutors say the defendants planned to resell the stolen vehicles to buyers both within the United States and in Ghana, West Africa.

According to the indictment, the theft operation utilized electronic Autel devices to gain access to the targeted vehicles. These electronic tools allowed the thieves to bypass traditional security systems and steal cars quickly.

The case represents part of a broader pattern of organized vehicle theft rings that have targeted major metropolitan areas. Federal prosecutors have not yet released the names of the six defendants or specified which courts will handle their cases.

The investigation appears to be ongoing, with authorities working to determine the full scope of the alleged criminal enterprise and whether additional charges may be filed.