OPINION:
This week, while families eagerly await time together and gifts under the tree, organized crime rings are targeting the very supply chains that deliver them, threatening not just holiday cheer but also America’s economic security.
Railroads and truckers take pride in delivering the goods that keep America moving. Increasingly, however, organized crime rings are exploiting vulnerabilities in our supply chain. They are stealing billions of dollars of high-value cargo and facing little consequence.
Each day, cargo theft costs the trucking industry an estimated $18 million. Class I railroads reported $100 million in losses because of cargo theft in 2024, a 40% year-over-year increase. These attacks disrupt supply chains, delay shipments and drive up costs for businesses and families.
Worse, they pose serious safety risks to supply chain employees and the public as criminals become more aggressive and organized.
These crimes aren’t limited to high-end electronics or apparel. They affect essential goods such as food and agricultural products, forcing costly disposal under federal safety regulations and contributing to rising prices at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet.
To do this, criminals deploy drones to scout targets, sabotage equipment to halt trains and even recruit vulnerable populations to serve as lookouts. Some even arrive armed, turning these thefts into a potentially serious safety risk for employees and the public. Although railroads and trucking companies invest heavily in security (one railroad alone spends $80 million annually), the reality is clear: Industry cannot solve this problem alone.
Federal engagement is essential. Cargo theft often spans multiple states and even international borders, making it nearly impossible for local law enforcement to respond effectively. Yet only 1 in 10 rail theft attempts result in an arrest, and repeat offenders operate with impunity.
Breaking this cycle requires creating real disincentives to commit these crimes. In far too many jurisdictions, enforcement follow-through is inconsistent, and even when prosecutions occur, state penalties for these crimes are too lenient. Cargo theft must be treated like the serious offense that it is. That means equipping law enforcement with stronger tools and delivering a robust federal response.
Congress must act now by passing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. This legislation will create a national data-sharing system and strengthen coordination among the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and local law enforcement. These tools are essential to dismantling criminal networks and holding offenders accountable.
More than 90 organizations, including retailers, grocers, major brands and logistics partners, support this legislation because they understand what’s at stake: economic stability, transportation reliability and public safety.
Without federal leadership and collaboration, these crimes will continue to escalate. Cargo theft is more than just a business concern; it is a critical national policy issue.
America’s supply chain is the backbone of the economy. Congress has the power and the responsibility to protect it. Passing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act isn’t just smart policy; it’s an urgent national imperative.
• Ian Jefferies is president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads. Chris Spear is president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.
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