WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations is joining a broad coalition of freight retail, and manufacturing stakeholders to pressure the U.S. Department of Justice to implement congressionally mandated measures to counter a sharp rise in cargo theft and organized retail crime.
As incidents of cargo theft accelerate, industry groups are calling for accountability and adherence to statutory language. In a letter sent to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, two dozen organizations, including ATA, urged DOJ to swiftly deploy new resources to close enforcement gaps, improve coordination, and deter criminal enterprises from exploiting the U.S. supply chain.
“Cargo theft and [organized retail crime] have escalated dramatically in recent years, affecting freight rail, trucking, retailers, and the broader U.S. economy,” the stakeholders wrote. “These crimes are not isolated or opportunistic, but are increasingly conducted by organized, sophisticated criminal networks operating across state and national borders. Through the resale of stolen goods and related monetization schemes, these criminal rings often engage in broader illicit activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism.”
Cargo Theft Goes High Tech
Cargo theft is becoming increasingly prevalent and high-tech, costing the trucking industry over $18 million per day. In response, Congress passed an appropriations bill in January with a provision championed by ATA that directed DOJ to begin the process of establishing a unified, federal response to cargo theft; however, the Department has already missed the first deadline set by the new law.
A Growing Threat
“We strongly urge the Department to move swiftly to implement the FY2026 funding and to establish this critical enforcement capacity without delay,” the stakeholders said. “The continued rise in cargo theft, [organized retail crime] and gift card fraud presents a growing threat to workers, consumers, the movement of essential goods and the broader American economy.”
Congress’ directive to DOJ was included in the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act, which was enacted 96 days ago. The law specified that DOJ must:
- Submit a report within 90 days that identifies U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with the highest rates of crime involving cargo theft and directs those offices to assign at least one additional attorney to these cases.
- Provide a briefing within 120 days on plans to establish regional task forces to investigate and refer cargo theft cases for prosecution.
The coalition’s letter underscores DOJ’s failure to meet the initial reporting deadline and urges the Department to comply with Congress’ timeline by delivering the required report and briefing without further delay.
Click here to read the letter in full.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
