There's a lot of companies that this has happened to, but they don't want to talk about it. Why' you decide to speak about what happened. >> It's not a thing I want to go and brag about like, hey, we got ripped off.>> It's, you know, that's not fun. But if it can happen to us with what I believe were pretty strong measures and security and awareness and you know communication and you know the way we do business and to get ripped off for two full semi truckloads of tequila in today's age then everybody's vul ...

Cargo Theft Incident - Two truckloads of Santo tequila, valued at over $1 million, were stolen due to sophisticated supply chain infiltration [1] - The theft involved 24,000 bottles of tequila [3] - The tequila was stolen after being trucked from Mexico to Laredo, Texas, and then being loaded onto two semi-trucks destined for Pennsylvania [3] Modus Operandi - The trucking company hired by the logistics company outsourced the job to fake trucking companies with phony credentials [8] - The criminals used a "double brokering" scheme to buy time and steal the tequila [9] - The thieves manipulated the GPS to make it appear the tequila was en route to its destination [9][10] - The drivers were unaware they were participating in a crime, believing they were delivering to a legitimate location [16] Impact and Recovery - The theft impacted Santo Spirits' business, causing them to lose product and potentially lay off employees [11][12] - 11,000 bottles of the stolen tequila were recovered in a warehouse in southeast LA [26] - The second truck of tequila and the thieves were never found [26] Industry Trends and Law Enforcement - US businesses lost over $230 million in goods to physical heists and online schemes last year [13] - Cargo theft by remotely redirecting cargo has increased by 1,200% in the last four years [18] - The LAPD recovered $42.8 million worth of stolen goods in 2024 alone [25]

Core Points - The Department of Justice has charged members of an Armenian organized crime ring for stealing over $83 million worth of cargo from Amazon by impersonating legitimate truck drivers [1] - Cargo theft is a significant issue for Amazon, with the company facing recurring thefts of its shipments [2] - The DOJ's complaint indicates that cargo theft-related losses across the retail industry are estimated to be close to $1 billion or more annually [4] Company Efforts - Amazon has intensified its efforts to combat fraudulent and illegal activities on its platform, including the suspension of dozens of third-party merchants allegedly selling stolen goods [3] - The company cooperated with DOJ officials during the investigation, providing information about stolen goods and details of the alleged fraudsters' accounts [6] Criminal Operations - The alleged fraudsters operated four transport carriers that obtained freight routes from Amazon Relay, diverting from their designated routes to steal goods [4][5] - The DOJ's investigation revealed that the fraudsters had possession of various stolen goods, including kitchen appliances and other merchandise [6] Legal Proceedings - Several defendants are expected to appear in court in Los Angeles, while one defendant has been detained in Fort Lauderdale, Florida [7]

Core Insights - The GearTrack April Cargo Security Index indicates a significant rise in cargo theft incidents in the U.S., with 54% occurring in California, Florida, and Texas in March 2025 [1][7] - California experienced a 34% month-over-month increase in cargo theft incidents, while Texas and Florida saw increases of 17% [1][7] - Food and beverage items were among the most targeted goods, highlighted by a thwarted theft of $55,000 worth of beef in Philadelphia [1][7] Industry Trends - Organized theft groups are employing innovative schemes, including non-delivery of loads and document forgery for fraudulent pick-ups [2] - Shippers are advised to enhance route planning to ensure the safe delivery of valuable goods, particularly in sectors like food and beverage, apparel, household goods, metals, and vehicles [2] Cargo Security Index Overview - The Cargo Security Index is a collaboration between GearTrack and CargoNet, providing insights into cargo theft trends, high-risk routes, and organized theft activity [3] - The Index aims to equip shippers, logistics providers, and insurers with intelligence to counter increasingly sophisticated threats [3] Response to Rising Theft - The surge in cargo theft is attributed to economic pressures, tariff uncertainty, and increased shipment volumes [4] - GearTrack plans to integrate Verisk CargoNet's RouteScore API to offer route-specific intelligence and customized protection recommendations [4] Company Background - GearTrack is an IoT-powered supply chain solution that tracks and protects high-value assets in real-time, helping companies reduce downtime and ensure timely deliveries [5] - Verisk is a strategic data analytics partner for the global insurance industry, focusing on improving operational efficiency and combating fraud [6]