Lobsters Worth $400,000 Stolen on Route to Costco, Says Shipper
A significant theft has occurred involving a shipment of lobsters valued at $400,000. The shipment was en route to Costco stores when it was stolen, as confirmed by the president of Rexing Companies, Dylan Rexing.
The Theft of Lobsters Heading to Costco
The stolen lobsters, which were not alive, were destined for Costco outlets located in Illinois and Minnesota. According to Rexing, the driver involved in this incident may have been impersonating a legitimate carrier to execute the theft.
Details of the Incident
- Value of Shipment: $400,000
- Destination: Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota
- Type of Product: Dead lobsters
- Method of Theft: Impersonation of a legitimate carrier
Rexing described the incident as part of a troubling trend in freight theft. He noted that criminals are increasingly using spoofed emails and burner phones to hijack valuable shipments while they are in transit.
Impact on Supply Chain
Rexing highlighted the significant repercussions of such thefts, especially for mid-sized brokerages. A loss of this magnitude can lead to difficult decisions and ultimately raises costs throughout the supply chain. These increased costs will likely be passed on to consumers.
Call for Action
While Rexing expressed concern for the safety of logistics operations, he emphasized the need for enhanced federal enforcement. He believes modern enforcement tools are essential to combat the organized criminal networks responsible for these crimes.
Failure to address these issues may result in continued disruptions for businesses and rising prices for consumers.
