Breaking

Thieves 'Laundering' Stolen Freight Through Supply Chain, Experts Warn

Cargo thieves are exploiting vulnerabilities in the supply chain by stealing loads, altering documentation and reintroducing merchandise into legitimate commerce, according to Scott Cornell, executive vice president of crime and theft at SPG Cargo & Logistics and chair of TAPA Americas.

Criminals move stolen goods through cross-docks, warehouses and informal transfer points, creating new bills of lading to obscure merchandise origins. In one case involving a stolen headphone shipment, devices reached European markets within a week of theft.

The process involves multiple transfers and documentation changes. Televisions might be relabeled as general electronics, then classified as freight of all kinds. New bolt seals further mask the shipment's history.

Cornell identified a critical weakness: paper documents and bolt seals retain significant authority in logistics operations despite technological investments by transportation companies. This trust allows criminals to legitimize stolen merchandise through altered paperwork and multiple handlers.