Washington – Today, the American Trucking Associations applauded a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers who introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. The bill seeks to establish a unified, federal response to the proliferation of cargo theft perpetrated by criminals who often operate across state and international borders.
Thieves targeting freight shipments are costing the supply chain up to $35 billion annually and fueling price inflation for consumers. Strategic theft has risen 1,500% since the first quarter of 2021, and the average value per theft is over $200,000. Cargo theft comes in many forms and causes significant financial losses and operational disruptions, whether it involves imitating a legitimate company, pilfering goods over time, breaking into a parked tractor-trailer, double-brokering fraud, or holding freight hostage. Increasingly, thieves are employing sophisticated cyber methods to steal product.
“The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain. By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”
Due to the complex nature of cargo theft, only the federal government has the authority, resources, and technical abilities to mount an effective defense. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would enhance legal frameworks; improve enforcement capabilities; and foster coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.
The bill was introduced in the Senate by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Steve Daines (R-Montana).
Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Susie Lee (D-Nevada), David Valadao (R-California), Dina Titus (D-Nevada), Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington), Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), Laurel Lee (R-Florida), Lou Correa (D-California), Brad Knott (R-North Carolina), Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), Nick LaLota (R-New York), Joe Morelle (D-New York), Mark Amodei (R-Nevada), Salud Carbajal (D-California), Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), and Jim Costa (D-California).
ATA added security—including cargo theft and cyber threats—to its list of strategic priorities last year.