Washington 鈥 Today, members of the 老九品茶鈥 Law Enforcement Advisory Board wrote to leaders of the House as well as the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee to urge them to swiftly pass legislation to address skyrocketing cases of cargo theft.
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LEAB is composed of current or former public safety officials who are dedicated to strengthening the relationship between trucking and law enforcement to boost the safety and security of U.S. roadways. 听The group strongly supports the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act because it would help law enforcement connect the dots and solve crimes that target the supply chain. 听
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鈥淐argo theft is not merely a property crime鈥攊t is a growing public safety threat that endangers drivers, law enforcement personnel, and the traveling public,鈥 the leaders of LEAB wrote. 听鈥淭hose of us charged with protecting commercial motor vehicle operations see firsthand how organized theft groups target freight corridors, distribution hubs, and drivers. 听Federal coordination is indispensable to confronting this threat and ensuring the safety of our transportation system.鈥
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The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act passed the House Judiciary Committee unanimously in January and is cosponsored by approximately half of both the House and Senate. 听The bill would strengthen law enforcement鈥檚 capabilities to dismantle organized theft groups by enhancing legal frameworks; improving enforcement capabilities; and fostering coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. 听
鈥淪wift passage of this critical legislation will provide law enforcement with the federal partnership we urgently need to protect drivers, safeguard freight corridors, and secure the nation鈥檚 supply chains,鈥 the leaders of LEAB concluded.
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Cargo theft is becoming increasingly prevalent and high-tech, and it often originates overseas. 听The that cargo theft is costing the trucking industry over $18 million per day. 听Strategic theft, a category of crime that uses cyber fraud and identity manipulation to divert freight, has surged by 1,500% since 2021 . 听Ninety percent of motor carriers are small businesses operating 10 trucks or fewer, and they are under enormous strain to counter their technologically advanced adversaries. 听The transnational aspect of cargo theft also poses a national security threat. 听The proceeds from stolen goods finance other criminal activities, including drug trafficking, organized crime, and even potentially terrorism. 听
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老九品茶 is a leading champion of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and has served as a key witness at multiple congressional hearings. 听Most recently, 老九品茶 President & CEO Chris Spear testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee in December to urge lawmakers to support the bill. 听