Cars stolen in Kent were found hidden in a shipping container about to leave for Africa.

An ongoing police investigation has been trying to crack the organised thefts, which have seen expensive 4x4s stolen from addresses in the South East and smuggled out of the country.

It was two Kent cars that sparked the operation following a Tracker activation at Felixstowe docks. They were headed for Mombasa - a port in Kenya.

One vehicle, a silver Mercedes had been stolen from Paddock Wood on May 14, 2008, and the other, an Audi S5 had been stolen from Bexley on March 27, 2008.

Since then the investigation has so far lead police to intercept six shipping containers, all booked by the same man, which resulted in 11 stolen vehicles being recovered.

Those vehicles had a net worth of more than £369,000, made up of high value 4x4s including BMWX5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes ML models. All the vehicles were stolen with keys from night-time burglaries.

Police have issued an image of a man they wish to speak to, called Jeffrey Duah.

Mr Duah, 40, may be able to assist with this inquiry.

Mr Duah, who has also used the names of Peter Asare and James Asan, has not been seen at his King's Cross address since August 2008 but is believed to be operating in the Tottenham area.

Mr Duah is a black Ghanaian man, described as being slim built, around 5'6" tall, with short black hair and glasses. He may be sporting a thin pencil moustache.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Richard Spicer said: 'We believe that, although we have recovered 11 vehicles so far, the offenders are still carrying out burglaries involving high value vehicles.

"We want to speak to anyone who may have information that could help the inquiry.

"In particular, we want to speak to anyone in the container rental industry who may have dealt with Mr Duah under this name or any other.

"We especially want to speak to Mr Duah in connection with these offences."

• Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Duahis asked not to approach him, but to contactpoliceon 01622 652376.