Homeland Security Investigations estimates losses range from $15 to $35 billion annually, making it a massive yet often overlooked threat. “Theft is tough to detect and even harder to stop” said Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety. Who led a critical hearing On Thursday February 27th 2025 titled “Grand Theft Cargo: Examining a Costly Threat to Consumers and the U.S. Supply Chain.”
With cargo theft surging, the session aimed to confront the growing crisis impacting truckers, businesses, and consumers alike. The hearing zeroed in on the surge in cargo theft, exposing scams like fraudulent trucking companies, broker deception, and organized train heists. Lawmakers explored solutions, pushing for tighter enforcement and coordination between federal agencies like the FMCSA and Department of Homeland Security to crack down on these criminal operations.
In his opening remarks, Senator Todd Young spotlighted a real-world example of the crisis, revealing how PFL, a logistics company in Evansville, Indiana, lost a $60,000 shipment when a trusted carrier turned rogue and made off with the cargo.
“This is a devastating hit for small businesses like PFL, with losses ultimately falling on employees and customers,” said Sen. Todd Young. “They’re not alone—companies nationwide are calling on Congress to help fight this growing threat.”
Since COVID, cargo theft has skyrocketed, evolving from petty crime to a high-tech operation run by sophisticated syndicates from China, Eastern Europe, and Mexico—driven by the boom in e-commerce.
