In the second quarter of 2025, cargo thefts surged sharply in both the United States and Mexico, disrupting supply chains, raising security alarms, and spotlighting gaps in freight-sector resilience.

United States: Strategic Theft Escalates

33% Year-Over-Year Spike
Overhaul documented a 33% increase in cargo theft in Q2 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, totaling 525 reported incidents.

Regional Hotspots

• California accounted for 38% of cases, particularly concentrated around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—making up 36% of all thefts.
• Texas followed with 21%, while Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Illinois contributed 15%, 10%, and 7%, respectively.

Targeted Product Types
The most frequently stolen goods included electronics (mixed loads, batteries/panels, computers, TVs), food and beverages (coffee, energy and sports drinks, snacks), and home/garden goods (appliances and pet supplies).

Methods of Theft

• Pilferage was the dominant method, accounting for 52% of incidents.
• Full-truckload thefts made up 22%, predominantly in Texas (56%).
• Facilities thefts remained steady at 14%; deceptive pickups rose to 7%, while last-mile courier thefts declined to 2%.
• Hijackings increased by 3% year over year.

Mexico: Violence and Interceptions Predominate

High Violence Levels
A staggering 82% of cargo-related incidents in Mexico involved violence against carriers.

Geographic Concentration
The states of Puebla (23.5%) and State of Mexico (20%) formed the epicenter of cargo crime in Q2 2025, with broader activity across central and western regions like Guanajuato, Michoacán, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí.

Primary Tactics

• Interceptions in transit accounted for 65% of incidents—robbers targeting trucks en route.
• Unsecured parking areas were targeted in 34% of cases.

Top Stolen Goods
The most stolen categories were food and beverage (33%) and building and industrial materials (10%).

Implications for Supply Chain Security Strategy

Surging Cargo Crime Undermines Logistics Resilience
Both countries are grappling with intensified theft activity—Mexico’s operations are especially exposed to violence-driven crime, while U.S. carriers face strategic pilferage and deceptive tactics.

Geographic Strategies Required
Hotspots like Southern California and central Mexico warrant heightened security and surveillance. Custom strategies—like convoying high-value loads and reinforcing rest-stop monitoring—are essential.

Visibility and Real-Time Monitoring as Key Defenses
In both markets, providers like Overhaul advocate real-time tracking and monitoring solutions that enable immediate response to theft threats.

Need for Broader, Proactive Interventions
The sophistication and volume of thefts call for stronger multi-stakeholder collaboration—among shippers, carriers, government agencies, and technology platforms—to share intelligence, standardize incident reporting, and bolster legal deterrents.

How to Strengthen Cargo Security Frameworks

• Invest in Digital Monitoring
  Adopt GPS-enabled tracking systems and real-time alerts to mitigate pilferage and hijacking risks.

• Leverage Data Analytics & Risk Mapping
  Map high-risk routes and parking areas, use predictive modeling to flag unusual activity, and optimize routing protocols.

• Expand Protective Infrastructure
  Increase surveillance at rest stops, rest area fencing, lighting, and integrate private security detail on vulnerable legs of transport.

• Enhance Training & Awareness
  Empower drivers with training to spot suspicious activity, verify delivery credentials diligently, and respond securely under threat.

• Strengthen Policy & Collaboration
  Advocate for cross-border intelligence sharing, harmonized enforcement, and stronger penalties for violent thefts. Promote legislation that incentivizes reporting and supports recovery.

The cargo crime wave sweeping through Q2 2025 serves as a wake-up call: strategic, data-driven, and multi-faceted defense mechanisms are non-negotiable. Whether via tech-enabled visibility, fortified physical infrastructure, or policy advocacy, stakeholders must act decisively to safeguard the freight arteries between the U.S. and Mexico.