Transport Security - ENFORCER
  • Solutions
    • Trailer Security Solutions
    • Truck Security Solutions
    • Container Security Solutions
  • Products
    • ABLOY® Padlocks
    • Adjustable Lock
    • Seal Guard™ Locks
    • King Pin Locks
    • Trailer Door Hasp Locks
    • Roll Up Door Lock
    • Air Cuff® Locks
    • Glad Hand Lock
    • CargoGuard Lock
    • Trailer Lock Box
    • Security Kit
    • Landing Gear Lock
    • Steering Lock
    • Bulkhead Door Lock
    • Security Seals >
      • C-TPAT Seals >
        • Cable Sealock
        • Cable Seals
        • Bolt Seals
      • Indicative Security Seals >
        • Plastic & Metal Trailer Seals
    • GPS Tracking >
      • Tracking Login
      • Covert Tracking Technolgy
      • Fleet and Vehicle Tracking Technology
  • Industries
    • Trucking
    • Refrigerated Trucking
    • Flatbed Trucking
    • Tanker Trucks
    • Retail
    • Portable Storage
    • Shipping Containers
    • Construction
  • Keying
  • About
  • Case Studies
  • News
    • Success Stories
    • Sign Up For Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Careers
  • Request A Quote

Cargo Security News

Inside the World of Cargo Hijacking (VIDEO)

10/26/2010

0 Comments

 

 

(CBS)  As the economy inches toward recovery, a lot of businesses are still struggling to keep up. But an illegal industry is doing better than ever: cargo theft. Losses from these robberies add up to as much as $37 billion a year in the U.S. -- forcing all of us to pay more for everything from computers to medicine to sneakers. Chief Investigative correspondent Armen Keteyianhas an exclusive look inside the criminal world of cargo hijacking. 




At a Dallas warehouse, a band of thieves arrived in eight stolen tractor trailers - taking $850,000 in flat-screen TVs. Seventy-six million dollars worth of prescription drugs disappeared from another warehouse, in Connecticut. 

Now, CBS News has learned that both of these crimes and many others committed in the last two years are tied to cargo theft rings run by Cuban-Americans in South Florida. Two men who've worked for these rings spoke with CBS News. We'll call them "The Trucker," and "The Broker." 

In 2009 there were 864 reported thefts of goods from trucks or warehouses across the country - more than two per day. And 2010 is on track to be even worse. 

Scroll down to watch the video. 

"Right now, thieves are winning," said David Wallace, retired detective Dallas Police Department. "When the cargo is stolen, it costs each one of us - insurance rates go up and trucking companies have to pay for the loss." 

"The Trucker" earns a legitimate living hauling freight. He says the real money comes from doing what he calls the "dirty work." 

"I steal the truck or I steal the cargo and the container," he said. 

The most popular items to be ripped off? 

"Computer hardware, hard drives," he said. "Viagra, penicillin, antibiotics, insulin," he added. "They all want that." 

Last year $184 million in prescription drugs were stolen from trucks and warehouses nationwide -- a 350 percent increase from 2007. That prompted the FDA to send a letter last April to pharmaceutical companies and distributors warning: "...these crimes threaten the public health." 

"Some of those drugs have to be refrigerated because they can kill people if the are not," Keteyian said. "Does that ever cross your mind or worry you?" 

"No, no," the "Trucker" replied. "I mean you are in it for the money. They are in it for the money." 

At some truck stops, 18-wheelers sit unattended as their drivers hit the rest room or grab a quick cup of coffee, only to be stunned when they come out and see their rig is gone. The easiest way to steal the cargo? Just take the entire truck. 

How easy is that? "The Trucker" showed us on his own truck. Using nothing more than the small key to a padlock, and a pair of pliers -- from start to finish, he was gone in less than 30 seconds. 

That leads us to "The Broker," whose job it is to sell the stolen goods. They're not just ripping off cargo. One ring was so brazen it stole an entire warehouse in Miami, breaking in and using it as a showroom to sell its goods. 

The buyer comes out and gives a bag of money to "The Broker." At one time, he said he could have a "million and a half" dollars in his hands. 

The bags of money keep coming, given the fact penalties for cargo theft are surprisingly weak. Most times, it's a minor felony that never leads to jail time. 

Wallace said a stolen 18-wheeler with a load of property on it "is the same thing as stealing your 1963 Volkswagen." 

"The Trucker" said he's "not really" worried about being arrested. He's headed off to other jobs - fueling a real-life game of grand theft cargo that shows no signs of slowing down. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Tweets by @stopcargotheft

    Categories

    All
    Abloy Padlock
    Adjustable Trailer Lock
    Air Cuff Lock
    Cargo Security News
    Cargo Theft
    Cargo Theft Mexico
    Flatbed Trailer Security
    GPS
    King Pin Lock
    Loss Prevention
    Pilferage
    Press Release
    Seal Guard Lock
    Security Articles
    Security Articles
    Security News
    Security News
    Trailer Theft
    Truck Theft
    Videos

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    August 2021
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    August 2013
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    February 2010
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    November 2008
    September 2008
    April 2008
    October 2007
    September 2007
    April 2006
    February 2006
    February 2005

    RSS Feed

About Us

Preventative Maintenance
Contact Us
News
Trailer Security Solutions

ABLOY Padlocks
Adjustable Lock #1217
CargoGuard Lock #8075
Door Hasp Locks #8000 & #8014
King Pin Lock #1111
King Pin Lock #1112
Landing Gear Locks #1213
Roll up Trailer Door Lock #8050
Seal Guard Lock #5900
Seal Guard Lock #5950
​Trailer Lock Box #8055

Truck Security Solutions

Air Cuff Lock #3000
Air Cuff Lock #3030
Security Kits
Steering Lock 
GPS Tracking Technology

Covert Package Tracking
Truck and Trailer  GPS Tracking
Tracking Login


©2023 Transport Security, Inc.  820 South Pine Street Waconia, MN 55387   952-442-5625    enforcer@transportsecurity.com
Warranty / Disclaimer
  • Solutions
    • Trailer Security Solutions
    • Truck Security Solutions
    • Container Security Solutions
  • Products
    • ABLOY® Padlocks
    • Adjustable Lock
    • Seal Guard™ Locks
    • King Pin Locks
    • Trailer Door Hasp Locks
    • Roll Up Door Lock
    • Air Cuff® Locks
    • Glad Hand Lock
    • CargoGuard Lock
    • Trailer Lock Box
    • Security Kit
    • Landing Gear Lock
    • Steering Lock
    • Bulkhead Door Lock
    • Security Seals >
      • C-TPAT Seals >
        • Cable Sealock
        • Cable Seals
        • Bolt Seals
      • Indicative Security Seals >
        • Plastic & Metal Trailer Seals
    • GPS Tracking >
      • Tracking Login
      • Covert Tracking Technolgy
      • Fleet and Vehicle Tracking Technology
  • Industries
    • Trucking
    • Refrigerated Trucking
    • Flatbed Trucking
    • Tanker Trucks
    • Retail
    • Portable Storage
    • Shipping Containers
    • Construction
  • Keying
  • About
  • Case Studies
  • News
    • Success Stories
    • Sign Up For Newsletter
  • Contact
    • Careers
  • Request A Quote