Train robberies might be considered a thing of the past, but cargo theft continues to be a major issue, impacting consumers directly. The Department of Homeland Security has calculated the annual cost of cargo theft in the U.S. to range between $15 billion and $35 billion.
The FBI reported that in 2025, cargo theft losses in the U.S. and Canada reached nearly $725 million, marking a 60% increase from the previous year.
To tackle this criminal enterprise, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts. When manufacturers lose substantial quantities of goods to theft, the resulting financial losses lead to increased prices for consumers.
In a unique national operation, federal agents, railroad police, and law enforcement from over twenty states have collaborated to track and deter thieves targeting cargo trains. Utilizing infrared drone cameras, authorities can monitor these criminal activities from above.
“It’s like a third eye in the sky, you know, so it helps us out. It gives us an advantage,” said Commander Michael Ware of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Organized Retail Crime and Cargo Theft Task Force.
Illinois ranks third in cargo theft incidents, following California and Texas as noted by Verisk Cargonet. The California Highway Patrol and L.A. County have supported efforts by alerting partners nationwide about suspicious activities.
Infrared technology helps detect heat signatures near railroads and freight yards. Drone operators can see and relay the movements of individuals, allowing ground officers to strategically approach suspects.
A video example shared by Ware depicts two men breaking into a cargo container valued at $35,000 in electronics. When drones detect perpetrators, officers close in without sirens to avoid alerting the thieves. Even their body heat can be detected by infrared technology.
“A lot of times we apprehend the guys and they come out like there’s no way we have no proof. I wasn’t in a container and they see the drone footage like ‘you got me,’” Ware commented.
Thieves have been targeting diverse goods from electronics to cereal by accessing slow-moving trains and rapidly emptying cargo into waiting vehicles.
“Money. It’s lucrative, you know. It’s just as lucrative as narcotics,” Ware mentioned.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart acknowledges the complexity and magnitude of this organized crime.
As the holiday season approaches, the stolen goods may lead to price hikes for consumers. The operation involved contributions from Callie Teitelbaum and Josh Peña.