January 22nd, 2026 – Cargo theft across North America remained elevated through the fourth quarter, with organized criminal groups increasingly targeting rail corridors, major freight hubs and high-value consumer goods. New data from BSI Consulting shows theft activity becoming more concentrated and more sophisticated, particularly around dense transportation networks and key intermodal chokepoints.
In the U.S., theft risk clustered heavily in Southern California, the Chicago metropolitan area, Memphis and along the Northeast corridor. Mexico continued to account for the majority of recorded cargo theft incidents across the region, underscoring the cross-border nature of organized cargo crime. According to BSI, the persistence of theft in both countries highlights the vulnerability of in-transit freight and the growing capabilities of organized criminal networks.
Rail cargo theft emerges as a primary U.S. concern
Rail cargo theft emerged as a primary concern in the U.S., especially in the Southwest and Midwest. Major rail corridors near Los Angeles, Chicago and Memphis experienced sustained theft activity, driven by long trains, remote stretches of infrastructure, urban bottlenecks and limited real-time monitoring. These conditions create predictable opportunities for theft, particularly when trains slow or stop near major population centers.
BSI found that rail theft operations are rarely opportunistic. Organized groups often conduct advanced reconnaissance, deploy scouts to identify vulnerable trains, use coordinated crews to breach containers and rely on spotters to monitor law enforcement activity. Frequently targeted products include footwear, electronics, appliances and other consumer goods that can be quickly resold.
Law enforcement agencies have expanded the use of helicopters, drones and advanced mapping technology, particularly around Chicago-area rail yards. Despite these measures, criminal groups continue to adapt their tactics, keeping rail theft a persistent and evolving challenge.
Mexico remains a significant cargo theft hotspot
Mexico remains a significant cargo theft hotspot, including long-standing high-risk regions such as the Red Triangle. Similar to trends in the U.S., theft in Mexico is increasingly focused on freight while it is moving or during custody transitions, rather than at static warehouse locations, reflecting a broader evolution in cargo crime toward exploiting moments when freight visibility drops.
Security technology providers report that theft networks now have a deep understanding of brokerage systems, rail operations and intermodal transfer points. Slowdowns caused by congestion, terminal delays and modal handoffs have become prime targets, as responsibility for freight often changes hands during these pauses.
In-transit theft, fraud and insider risk continue to grow
Alongside physical theft, fraud tactics are also becoming more common. Fictitious pickups, spoofed bills of lading and the impersonation of legitimate carriers are increasingly used to divert loads with seemingly valid paperwork. In many cases, stolen freight is not discovered until it fails to reach its destination.
Insider involvement remains another critical risk factor. Internal collusion at warehouses, terminals or dispatch operations continues to play a role in large-scale thefts, particularly when financial pressure creates opportunities for exploitation. Fragmented data systems across trucking, rail and port operations further exacerbate the problem, creating blind spots during transitions.
BSI’s analysis makes clear that as supply chains grow more complex, cargo theft networks are becoming more organized and strategic. Reducing risk will require better coordination across transportation modes, improved real-time visibility and greater focus on securing freight during the moments when it is most exposed.
