ORC and Cargo Theft and the Urgent Need for Stronger Laws

By [ Sarah Gilmore ]
05/28/2025

A recent federal crackdown exposed the staggering scale and sophistication of cargo theft in America’s supply chain. Thirteen members and associates of rival Armenian crime syndicates were charged with stealing over $83 million in cargo, using fake trucking companies to divert shipments of high-value goods ranging from smart TVs to kitchen appliances.

This brazen criminal enterprise is the latest example of why Congress must act now to strengthen laws against organized retail crime and cargo theft. The bipartisan, bicameral Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA) would establish a Center to Combat Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime at Homeland Security Investigations. The Center will combine expertise from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as retail industry representatives. Coordinating these resources creates a unified government and industry collaboration to fight against the sophisticated criminal rings engaged in coordinated retail theft operations.

The Growing Threat of Cargo Theft

Cargo theft is not a new problem, but its frequency, scale, and impact have reached new levels. A 2024 survey by RILA found that two-thirds of responding retailers have experienced increased cargo theft in the prior two years, Organized crime groups exploit digital freight platforms, impersonate legitimate drivers, and use complex logistics to steal entire truckloads of merchandise. The financial toll is enormous, with losses rippling through supply chains, raising costs for businesses and consumers alike.

Despite the growing threat, existing laws have not kept pace with the evolving tactics of organized retail crime and cargo thieves. Many cases fall through jurisdictional cracks, and penalties often fail to deter organized criminal networks. Law enforcement agencies and retailers are doing their part — many companies have ramped up internal investigations and referred thousands of cases to authorities — but without stronger federal laws, these efforts are not enough to dismantle large-scale criminal operations.

The Case for Federal Organized Retail Crime and Cargo Theft Legislation

Retailers and supply chain partners are urging Congress to pass comprehensive organized retail crime and cargo theft legislation that will:

Enhance penalties for organized cargo theft to match the seriousness and impact of these crimes.
Improve coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement to close jurisdictional gaps exploited by criminals.
Modernize legal definitions and reporting requirements to address new theft tactics, including digital fraud and third-party logistics abuse.
Provide resources for investigation and prosecution of complex, multi-state theft rings.

As the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has stated, “Retailers are championing bipartisan legislation aimed at dismantling organized crime rings and deterring cargo theft. This is not just a retail issue —it’s a threat to the entire economy and to the safety of our communities.”

The Path Forward

This latest case is a wake-up call. Without swift legislative action, organized crime will continue to exploit vulnerabilities in our supply chain, putting billions of dollars and countless jobs at risk. Congress must act now to pass robust cargo and organized retail theft prevention laws. Doing so will protect businesses, workers, and consumers—and send a clear message that America’s supply chain is not open for criminal exploitation.