freight Theft Surges Across U.S., Linked to Trump Tariffs
WASHINGTON – A significant increase in freight theft is sweeping across the United States, with experts attributing the surge to disruptions caused by tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump since taking office in January 2025. The rise in organized crime targeting supply chains has been described as “pure wild west” by industry professionals.
According to a report by the Telegraph, the increase is not opportunistic, but rather the work of organized criminal leagues infiltrating delivery networks. David Warrick, manager of supply chain security firm overhaul, stated, “I’ve been working with delivery chains for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The impact is particularly acute for pharmaceutical companies, clothing manufacturers, and electronics firms, experiencing a one-third increase in freight-related crimes. Tactics employed by thieves include false pickups, impersonating drivers or custodians, altering vehicle identification numbers, and even repainting containers.
Verisk Cargonet, a freight recovery network, estimates total losses from these thefts between April and June 2025 reached SEK 1.4 billion (approximately $130 million USD). Keith Lewis, operational manager at Verisk Cargonet, points to declining police resources as a contributing factor. “There are fewer police cars in the streets and investigators have high workload. The criminals realize it. They no longer see police cars on the highway so they just get nicer,” Lewis said.
The tariffs, intended to impact world trade, appear to have inadvertently created conditions favorable for a surge in complex freight theft, according to Warrick. He emphasized this is “a side effect” of the new customs regulations.
