A national trucking advocacy organization asked the federal government to take action on a national scale to combat the growing problem of cargo theft.
American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee Wednesday, urging Congress to take decisive action to combat the rapid rise in cargo theft that is costing the U.S. supply chain— and American consumers — billions of dollars annually as well as putting truck drivers and national security at risk.
“Brazen thieves are robbing our industry to the tune of $18 million every single day,” Spear told lawmakers. “Plainly, there is a direct connection to rampant cargo theft and what Americans are paying at the grocery store. This is money that belongs in consumers’ wallets, not criminals’ pockets.”
Cargo theft is becoming increasingly prevalent and high-tech, and it often originates overseas., according to Spear. Strategic theft, a category of crime that uses cyber fraud and identity manipulation to divert freight, has surged by 1,500% since 2021, he said.
The transnational aspect of cargo theft also poses a national security threat. In his testimony, Spear provided an example of how appliances stolen from an ATA member were later discovered by federal agents to be part of a cartel-linked money laundering operation. Local police did not have the resources or shared intelligence to make that connection.
“Trucking is interstate by nature, which means the thieves targeting the cargo we haul are interstate as well,” Spear said. “State and local law enforcement often lack the resources and the jurisdiction to adequately investigate cross-border crimes. Only the U.S. government is equipped with the capability and the constitutional authority to pursue criminals across state and international lines.”
To address the crisis, Spear urged Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. Introduced by a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers earlier this year, CORCA would help law enforcement connect the dots by enhancing legal frameworks; improving enforcement capabilities; and fostering coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. The Department of Homeland Security would be tasked with leading a cohesive national response to cargo theft.
“The theft of cargo is a nationwide problem, and it requires a national solution,” Spear said. “By bringing the fight to organized theft groups, CORCA would help safeguard Americans who work in our supply chain and protect our national security.”
