Firsthand look at the high-tech hunt for cargo thieves

Train robberies may be a relic of the Old West, but cargo theft is still a big business — and consumers end up paying the price.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates cargo theft costs the U.S. between $15 billion to $35 billion a year. In 2025, the FBI says , reported cargo theft losses in the U.S. and Canada reached nearly $725 million, up 60 percent from 2024.

Now, law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to curb the criminal enterprise that can ultimately cost consumers. When manufacturers lose large loads of goods to theft, they often raise prices, forcing consumers to pay more on the back end.