Firsthand look at the high-tech hunt for cargo thieves
Summary
Cargo theft in the U.S. and Canada is increasing and causing big losses for businesses and higher prices for consumers. Law enforcement is using new technology like infrared drones to catch thieves by seeing their heat signatures on trains and cargo yards.Key Facts
- Cargo theft costs the U.S. between $15 billion and $35 billion every year.
- In 2025, reported cargo theft losses in the U.S. and Canada reached nearly $725 million, up 60% from 2024.
- Police across more than two dozen states conducted a special coordinated operation using infrared drones to track cargo thieves.
- Infrared drones detect the heat from people hiding near trains and cargo, helping police catch thieves without using lights or sirens.
- Illinois ranks third in cargo theft cases, after California and Texas.
- Thieves steal electronics, sneakers, cereal, and other items by breaking seals on cargo containers.
- Authorities say cargo theft is highly organized and as profitable as drug trafficking.
- The rise in cargo theft may cause higher prices for consumers, especially during the holiday season.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
