The Cargo Theft Epidemic: Why 2026 Will Be the Most Dangerous Year Yet

Send us Fan MailCargo theft is no longer just "missing boxes"—it has evolved into a sophisticated, multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise. In this episode, Chris and John sit down with Danny Ramon, Director of Intelligence and Response at Overhaul, to break down a chilling new report on supply chain disruptions.Danny reveals that cargo theft increased by 16% year-over-year in 2025, following five consecutive years of record-breaking growth. Even more alarming, he explains why official reports represent only about 1/10th of what is actually happening on the ground. We dive into the hotspots like the GTA and LA Basin and discuss the dangerous links between cargo thieves and transnational criminal groups involved in drugs and weapons.In this episode, you’ll learn:The true scale of the 2025 cargo theft report.Why many carriers are reluctant to report theft and how that helps the criminals.The "Venn diagram" overlap between auto theft and cargo crime.Strategies to protect your fleet from increasingly agile criminal organizations.Contact Danny:Danny Ramon | Director of Intelligence and Response, Overhaul512.699.7373 | [email protected] Your hosts:John FarquharNational Risk Services Specialist, Transportation, Gallager GGBhttps://www.ajg.com/ca/M: [email protected] HarrisCEO, Safety Dawg Inc.905 973 [email protected]://safetydawg.com/00:00 - Intro: Meet Danny Ramon of Overhaul02:52 - The 16% Surge: Breakdown of the 2025 Cargo Theft Report04:08 - The "Tip of the Iceberg": Why only 10% of thefts are reported05:03 - Hotspots: Comparing the GTA and Los Angeles Basin05:53 - Evolution of Crime: How auto theft evolved into organized cargo crime06:14 - The Dangerous Reality: Connections to drugs, cash, and weapons07:31 - Funding the Underworld: How cargo theft fuels criminal groups09:45 - The "Agility" Factor: Why criminals change targets overnight12:15 - High-Value vs. High-Volume: What’s being targeted right now15:30 - Protecting Your Fleet: Practical steps for safety managers19:10 - The Importance of Intelligence: Why sharing data is your best defense23:45 - Recovery Success Stories: What happens when the system works27:12 - Closing Thoughts: The 2026 outlook and final adviceSupport the show