Last updated: January 15, 2025
Executive Summary
Gravick Group’s proven track record shows that a measured and multi-layered strategy with the right talent, effective processes, and the latest technology does successfully deter and intercept criminal enterprises attacking North American supply chains.
Despite gains made in detection, identification and arrests of criminal elements involved in cargo theft, current limits in legislation negatively impact the ability of prosecutors to gain meaningful convictions with lasting impact. Now, additional tools on the horizon will make dismantling organized criminal cells easier.
Two bipartisan teams of Senators are advocating legislation that will ensure more consistent outcomes in prosecutions, thereby bolstering supply chain security. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) support the newly expanded Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act, and Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) back the Cargo Security Innovation Act.
This legislation will complement flexible and scalable defense strategies with effective legal deterrence to discourage criminal elements.
The proposed bill will update current statutes, increase penalties, streamline federal coordination with state and local agencies, and encourage private business and public agency collaboration. As an industry leader with deep law enforcement relationships throughout the US, Gravick Group is ideally positioned to leverage the full power of this legislation and deliver a plan for your team to best protect your supply chain.
Background
Impact of Supply Chain Theft
The rapid rise of well-engineered criminal rings caused a staggering $128 million loss in value in the second quarter of this year. CargoNet’s 2025 second quarter report shows a 13% rise in supply chain thefts compared to the same time frame in 2024 . . . and “a 10% increase from the first quarter of 2025” (CargoNet, 2025).
Currently, illicit activity in supply chains includes strategic cyber-enabled theft conducted by criminal groups and random robberies by lone individuals. The most vulnerable junctures are warehouses, distribution hubs, and intermodal lots where goods and merchandise exchange hands. Fraud and identity theft contribute to the crimes, much of which is facilitated via cyber-crimes.
Current Legislation
Why we need changes
Existing legislation related to retail and cargo theft includes:
- Title 18 U.S.C. § 659 – Outlaws theft, embezzlement or fraudulent taking of goods, baggage or money from interstate or foreign shipment.
- INFORM Consumers Act – designed to discourage the sale of stolen, counterfeit or unsafe items online and provide a way for consumers to report suspicious activity.
Since the inception of this legislation, crime has morphed beyond the intended scope of each law. Sentencing recommendations are not onerous enough to deter crime, and prosecutions remain inconsistent and ineffective. Sometimes crimes fall between jurisdictions, and often criminals receive lesser charges.
Snapshot of New Legislation
Bi-Partisan Support
In order to make progress in combating organized crime, legislators developed two fresh bills.
Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) have updated and broadened the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act since it was first put forth in 2023. This is a bi-partisan bill to address organized retail theft. It actively addresses criminal networks stealing from retailers and then using secondary or black markets to sell goods and launder the financial proceeds.
According to a summary published by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, this bill will create the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center. The central body will be housed under the Department of Homeland Security and will unite federal, state, and local law enforcement resources. It will work with private industry to expand data sharing, investigations, and prosecution of organized retail crime. Ultimately, it will enhance recovery of stolen merchandise and help track and recover money related to this crime. In addition to bi-partisan support, many industry groups support this, such as, the National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, UPS, and American Trucking Associations.
In an effort to fill the gaps, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) created the Cargo Security Innovation Act (CSIA).
To protect supply chains, this bill provides state-of-the-art technology for law enforcement agencies fighting organized crime and cargo theft. The bill creates a “pilot program that invests in technology to curb cargo theft” (United States Senate).
Local, state and federal agencies need the technology and resources to bring these criminals to justice.
CSIA, if enacted, will: “Create a pilot program at the TSA to deploy advanced law enforcement or cargo security technologies at intermodal hubs in the US and require a report to Congress evaluating the effectiveness of these technologies” (United States Senate).
According to Senator Blackburn’s website, it has bi-partisan support as well as industry endorsements from the American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, Intermodal Association of North America, Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and IMC Logistics.
How New Legislation Will Deter Crime
First and foremost, the new laws will more clearly define laws and penalties. It will combine illicit activities across an organized theft network, not just view each incidence as an isolated act.
The centralized reporting of theft incidents across bureaus and regions will expedite sharing of knowledge and resources making collaboration between law enforcement agencies and businesses more efficient.
The funding earmarked for agencies to collaborate on cross-sector investigations will tackle theft, as well as money and crypto laundering facilitated by cybercrime.
Special Considerations in Passing Legislation
- The bills will require appropriations and consensus as to which agencies will receive priority.
- With a centralized system, lawmakers will need to address privacy and civil liberty issues.
- Finally, champions of the new bills must define metrics of success with consideration of crime rates, conviction rates, and recovery of lost goods, among other impacts.
Summary
Gravick Group views these recent developments as very positive steps to enhance the security posture of our clients. The bills, along with a measured and multi-level plan, put significant horsepower behind businesses and government’s efforts to intercept cargo theft and convict members of organized crime. The shared investigative power, pooling of technical resources, and weighty legal deterrence will help dismantle criminal networks and strengthen supply chains in North America. Gravick is ready to incorporate the power of this legislation into a well-developed strategy for our clients led by subject matter experts, proven scalable processes and advanced technology.
For a free consultation on developing a supply chain risk mitigation plan, contact Gravick Group: info@gravick.com
Gravick Group, a veteran owned international company, specializes in supply chain risk mitigation consulting and training programs.
For nearly three decades, Gravick Group has partnered with leading global companies to provide comprehensive solutions that seamlessly integrate traceability, efficiency, and constant innovation across trade networks.
With the ultimate goal of reducing supply chain interference, our team of experts combines advanced defense measures and optimization techniques to enhance supply chain performance. Using a multi-faceted approach, Gravick Group leverages innovative technologies, such as blockchain, IoT, and advanced data analytics, to provide unparalleled transparency and control over your supply chain.
Our experts have invested years building potential in the most challenging strategic locations around the world and are uniquely equipped to help companies maximize profits and address nearshoring opportunities. Wherever your supply chains may run, Gravick Group’s unique models are the key to your competitive success in the global marketplace.
References
CargoNet. (2025, July 17). 2025 second quarter supply chain risk trends analysis. Verisk Analytics. https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2025-q2-theft-trends/
Congressional Research Service. (2024, February 4). Criminal justice data: Organized retail crime (CRS Report No. R48061). https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48061
Federal Trade Commission. (2025, July 21). Informing businesses about the INFORM Consumers Act. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/INFORMAct
International Council of Shopping Centers. (2025, December 2). Fifteen states pass new laws to curb organized retail crime in 2025. ICSC. https://www.icsc.com/news-and-views/icsc-exchange/fifteen-states-pass-new-laws-to-curb-organized-retail-crime-in-2025
United States Congress. (2025). Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, S. 1404, 119th Congress. U.S. Government Publishing Office. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1404
United States Congress. (2025). Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (summary) [PDF]. U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/corca_summary_final.pdf
United States Senate. (2025, December 4). Blackburn, Klobuchar introduce legislation to combat cargo theft [Press release]. https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/12/crime/blackburn-klobuchar-introduce-legislation-to-combat-cargo-theft