New Bill Unites FBI and Homeland Security Against Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft

This week, new legislation was introduced aimed at combating freight fraud and cargo theft by requiring federal agencies to collaborate.

On June 25, Congressman David Valadao proposed the Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act. This bill aims to “enhance coordination and develop solutions to curb the widespread theft in our nation’s supply chains.”

The legislation calls for the creation of a Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the formation of a Supply Chain and Theft Task Force led by HSI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This Task Force would focus on addressing organized crime groups that target U.S. rail, motor carrier, and intermodal systems.

The bill proposes allocating $100 million to the Supply Chain and Theft Task Force for the fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Valadao noted that organized criminal activities affecting the trucking industry saw a 46% year-over-year increase to 925 incidents and a 10% rise from the fourth quarter of 2023.

The bill has garnered support from several trade organizations, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The ATA highlighted that cargo theft “not only disrupts the supply chain for American consumers, but it also poses risks to the safety of truck drivers and law enforcement officers.”

“The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Henry Hanscom.  “ATA commends Congressman Valadao for introducing legislation to address this alarming trend and safeguard our supply chain.  The Supply Chain Fraud and Theft Task Force created by this bill would strengthen the partnership between motor carriers, law enforcement, the government, and other supply chain partners to strike an effective blow against organized crime.”