Over the weekend, supply chain risk management specialists Overhaul executed the recovery of a full truckload of electronics after it was fraudulently stolen from its origin at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Grapevine, Texas.
The shipment was taken well past its destination of Childress, Texas into New Mexico and was heading west. The LE Connect team was already monitoring the shipment when the theft report was filed with DFW airport police, permitting the equipment and cargo to be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which would allow officers in other jurisdictions to recognize the equipment and cargo as stolen.
Once the theft report was filed, the LE Connect team coordinated with the Arizona Highway Patrol, who were able to set up on I-40 to monitor for the stolen cargo while equipped with real time locations and photos of the tractor and trailer from origin. The tractor was located traveling through Flagstaff, Arizona where troopers initiated a stop.
Three subjects found in the tractor, two of which were identified as drivers, were arrested. Two of the subjects were in the country illegally. The owner of the tractor had a California CDL with last name “Diamond” and first name “No Name Given”.
The trailer, with all $1.6 million worth of cargo, was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.
Overhaul recommends that shippers of targeted and high demand or high value products be extremely thorough in vetting brokers and carriers in their network. Including documenting all drivers, tractors, and trailers that arrive to pick up cargo with thorough pictures that include all identifying markings on the tractor/trailer. Additionally, documenting the driver and his CDL to verify that the information being documented matches the information provided prior to the driver’s arrival.
Particularly with strategic or fraudulent theft methods, contextual intelligence, remote compliance monitoring, real time visibility, and an immediate escalation process with a path to effective law enforcement engagement are critical to
recognizing and recovering stolen cargo.
