Organized Crime Rings Target Trucking as Cargo Thefts Surge

Organized crime rings are increasingly targeting the trucking industry, as cargo theft across North America continues to rise. According to data from CargoNet, cargo theft events surged 36% year over year in the first quarter of 2025, with an average loss of $401,000 per incident. Roughly 80% of those thefts involved trucks, with Texas and California accounting for 60% of all U.S. incidents.

CargoNet's Vice President of Operations, Keith Lewis, says organized theft is evolving alongside the supply chain. "The faster we move things, the less vetting we do, and the faster they can steal things,” Lewis said in CCJ Digital. "It’s hitting us like lightning."

Criminals exploit gaps in modern logistics by targeting unattended trailers at truck stops, lots, or transfer hubs. In Southern California, police recently recovered $1.4 million in stolen goods from one theft ring.

Beyond stolen goods, these crimes cost companies in downtime, insurance rate hikes, and reputational damage. With theft rings becoming more sophisticated, trucking businesses are urged to review and strengthen their security measures. Source: https://amarok.comhttps://nypost.com