U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced legislation recently that would protect those on the front lines of cargo theft detection and prevention.
The Cargo Security Innovation Act would create a pilot program at the TSA to deploy advanced law enforcement or cargo security technologies at intermodal hubs across the country. The legislation would also require TSA to report back to Congress on the pilot program’s effectiveness.
“Cargo theft is a pressing issue impacting businesses in Tennessee, and we need to shut down these organized crime groups that steal essential goods from Tennesseans to traffic drugs and weapons,” Blackburn said. “Our bipartisan Cargo Security Innovation Act would help law enforcement bring more of these criminals to justice and disrupt these sophisticated cargo theft rings to protect our supply chains.”
Blackburn’s office said cargo theft has seen an increase since 2023 when incidents jumped 57 percent and losses topped more than $400 million. In Memphis, cargo theft jumped nearly 60 percent in the first six months of 2024 compared to all of 2023. The theft is committed by sophisticated theft rings tied to organized crime, using fake IDs, GPS blockers, encrypted communications and surveillance teams. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating to stop cargo theft but often lack the technology and resources to be effective.
“Cargo theft significantly impacts the supply chain, harming American businesses and consumers, especially food shippers. When criminals break into shipments, businesses are forced to return containers and dispose of compromised products,” Klobuchar said. “Our bipartisan legislation would equip law enforcement with the resources to combat these crimes — creating a pilot program that invests in technology to curb cargo theft.”
The bill is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, the Association of American Railroads, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and IMC Logistics.
“Skyrocketing incidents of cargo theft undermine our supply chain, raise costs for consumers, and place truck drivers and warehouse workers directly in harm’s way. Due to the complex, multi-jurisdictional nature of these highly sophisticated crimes, only the federal government has the resources to take down organized theft groups. ATA commends Senators Blackburn and Klobuchar for introducing legislation to equip law enforcement with the advanced technological capabilities they need to keep pace with evolving criminal techniques and strike an effective blow against organized crime,” Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President, Legislative Affairs at American Trucking Associations, said.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) mirrored his sentiment.
“As organized criminal groups become more sophisticated and brazen in targeting our supply chain, advanced technology is essential to staying ahead. Railroads appreciate Senator Blackburn’s leadership on this critical issue and her support for expanding the tools and resources needed to disrupt and deter these criminal enterprises,” Ian Jefferies, president & CEO of AAR, said.