Cargo theft is a significant and ongoing problem in the domestic and international supply chain. Criminals target trucks, trailers, trains, and warehouses, stealing valuable goods ranging from electronics and pharmaceuticals to food and clothing. A high-profile heist involving two truckloads of 24,000 bottles of Tequila and celebrity Guy Fieri was the subject of a recent 60 Minutes piece. It is part of a growing problem in the US. The financial impact of cargo theft is substantial, costing the U.S. economy $35 billion annually, a 1,500 percent increase since 2021. Beyond direct losses, cargo theft leads to increased insurance premiums, supply chain disruptions, damage to business reputations, and rising consumer costs. What is contributing to this rise, and what can be done about it?

Several factors contribute to cargo theft in trucking:

• Crimes of opportunity: Trucks and trailers can be easy targets and often carry goods that are easy to resell and difficult to trace.
• Spoofing: Fake carrier identities and double-brokering scams, cyber-enabled logistics manipulation, such as business e-mail compromises, as well as GPS spoofing and fake checkpoints are some of the tactics being employed by criminals.
• Extended Stopping Points: Rest areas, truck stops, and unsecured parking lots provide opportunities for thieves.
• Lack of Security: Not all companies invest in advanced security measures for their facilities, vehicles and shipments.
• Organized Crime: Sophisticated criminal groups use technology and insider information to target shipments.
• Lack of Priority: Cargo theft does not always garner the attention of law enforcement due to a lack of reporting or other competing and higher-profile pressing priorities relating to human life and safety.

Addressing cargo theft in trucking requires a multifaceted approach that combines technology, best practices, and stakeholder cooperation. Some examples could include:

1. Invest in Security Technology: Companies should equip trucks and trailers with GPS tracking, electronic locks, and surveillance cameras. Real-time tracking enables rapid response if a theft occurs;
2. Employee Training and Awareness: Drivers and logistics personnel should be trained to recognize suspicious behavior, secure cargo properly, and follow protocols for parking and rest stops;
3. Secure Parking: Utilizing secure, monitored parking facilities reduces the risk of theft during stops. Route planning should consider safe locations for breaks and overnight stays;
4. Shorten dwell times: Limit the amount of time trailers remain stopped, parked or at rest;
5. Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Trucking companies should maintain strong relationships with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies. Reporting suspicious activity and thefts promptly increases the chance of recovery and prosecution;
6. Information Sharing: Share and report anomalies quickly to law enforcement, participate in industry groups, such as CargoNet or the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). This allows companies to share intelligence on theft trends and hotspots;
7. Background Checks and Vetting: Conduct thorough background checks on employees, including drivers and warehouse staff, to reduce the risk of insider theft; and
8. National Priority: Establishing a national focus on this issue will help improve visibility and encourage the allocation of more resources nationwide to tackle the problem. Unifying DHS, CBP, FBI, and DOT investigation functions with state and local law enforcement will help to enhance information sharing and action. Congress has introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, which would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security, enhance multi-agency collaboration across federal, state, and local law enforcement, expand criminal statutes, and allows aggregation of theft values for prosecution.

In addition, the American Transportation Research Institute just released a research report, “The Fight Against Cargo Theft: Insights from the Trucking Industry,” documenting the challenges of cargo theft and outlining steps that could be taken to mitigate the problem.

Cargo theft remains a serious issue in the trucking industry, with far-reaching consequences for businesses and consumers. Implementing a combination of technology, employee training, secure practices, and industry collaboration is essential to reducing the risk of theft and protecting valuable shipments. Addressing this challenge requires ongoing vigilance and adaptation to criminals’ evolving tactics.