Key Takeaways:
- A series of seafood thefts occurred in New England, with 40,000 oysters, $400,000 worth of lobster, and a cache of crabmeat stolen in separate incidents.
- The thefts happened in Maine and Massachusetts, with the lobster and crabmeat stolen from a warehouse in Taunton, Massachusetts.
- The thefts are believed to be part of a larger problem of cargo theft, which has been ongoing for over a decade and has worsened in recent years.
- The stolen seafood likely ended up in restaurants, and the cost of the thefts will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
- Cargo theft can involve impersonating legitimate trucking companies or using phishing emails to gain access to computer systems.
Introduction to the Seafood Heists
Imagine the buffet that could have been, with 40,000 oysters, lobster worth $400,000, and a cache of crabmeat. However, this seafood feast was not meant to be, as all of these items were stolen in separate incidents within weeks of each other in New England. The first theft occurred on November 22 in Falmouth, Maine, where 14 cages full of oysters were stolen from an aquaculture site in Casco Bay. The oysters, which were full-grown and ready for sale, were worth $20,000, along with the cages. This theft was a significant blow to the small businessman who owned the oysters, with Marine Patrol Sgt. Matthew Sinclair describing it as a "devastating situation."
The Taunton, Massachusetts Thefts
The other two thefts happened in Taunton, Massachusetts, about 160 miles away from the oyster theft. The first incident occurred on December 2, when a load of crab disappeared after leaving the Lineage Logistics warehouse. The second theft happened on December 12, when lobster meat destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota was stolen by a fraudulent trucking company. According to Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies, the broker who arranged the pickup, the thieves impersonated a real carrier, using a spoofed email address, a fake certified driver’s license, and changing the name on the side of the truck. This level of sophistication suggests that the thieves were experienced and well-organized.
The Problem of Cargo Theft
Cargo theft, including the type that occurred in Taunton, has been a problem for over a decade, but it has worsened in recent years. According to Rexing, this type of theft happens every day, multiple times a day. Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of Transportation Intermediaries Association, a trade organization for the freight brokerage industry, agrees that cargo theft is a significant issue. He categorizes freight theft into two types: the first involves someone impersonating a legitimate trucking company, as in the case of the lobster heist, and the second type, known as strategic theft, often involves using phishing emails to gain access to computer systems and get paid without actually stealing the product. Burroughs emphasizes that cargo theft is a "massive growing problem that needs to get addressed."
The Impact of Cargo Theft
Given the short shelf life of the stolen lobster, it is likely that the seafood ended up in restaurants. While some may joke about stealing butter to go with the lobster, Rexing points out that such thefts ultimately harm consumers. The cost of the stolen goods will be passed on to consumers, who may not even be aware that they are paying for the theft. Furthermore, cargo theft is not limited to seafood; thieves also steal items used in the production of cars and computers, which can have far-reaching consequences for the economy. As Rexing notes, "Whether you eat seafood or not, they’re stealing other items… Ultimately, that cost gets thrown to the consumer."
Conclusion
The series of seafood thefts in New England highlights the growing problem of cargo theft, which affects not only the businesses that are directly targeted but also consumers who ultimately bear the cost of the thefts. The sophistication and frequency of these thefts suggest that they are part of a larger, organized effort to steal valuable goods. As the problem of cargo theft continues to grow, it is essential to address it through increased security measures, awareness, and cooperation between law enforcement and the freight industry. By working together, it may be possible to prevent future thefts and protect consumers from the economic impact of cargo theft.