Cargo thieves may be stealing fewer loads, but they’re getting a whole lot more money when they do.
New data from Verisk CargoNet shows cargo theft losses reached an estimated $304 million during the second quarter of 2026, more than double the estimated losses reported during the same period last year. The increase came even as the actual number of reported theft incidents dropped.
CargoNet recorded 677 supply chain theft incidents across the United States and Canada during Q2 2026, a 26% decrease compared with the same quarter in 2025. In Q2 2025, CargoNet recorded 884 incidents and estimated losses of more than $128 million.
According to CargoNet, organized cargo thieves are becoming more selective about what they steal. Instead of simply looking for an easy trailer to grab, sophisticated theft groups are increasingly targeting loads containing high-value metals and technology products. That means fewer successful thefts can still result in much bigger losses.
Metals and Tech Are Hot Targets
High-value metals have become particularly attractive to thieves. Copper and other metals can be worth serious money, and growing demand connected to technology and data center construction has made certain shipments even more valuable.
Technology cargo is another major target. Earlier this year, CargoNet reported continued theft activity involving products such as cryptocurrency mining equipment, networking equipment and enterprise server components.
These aren’t always random thieves spotting a loaded trailer at a truck stop, either. CargoNet has been warning about increasingly sophisticated schemes involving organized groups that know what freight they’re looking for and use fraud and impersonation to get it.
A Bigger Problem Even With Fewer Thefts
The second-quarter numbers continue a trend CargoNet has been watching throughout 2026.
During the first quarter, CargoNet recorded 767 supply chain crime events, down 5.3% from the previous year. Yet estimated losses still reached approximately $131.6 million. The organization said the numbers reflected a shift toward more targeted commodity selection and organized theft operations.
Now, the estimated $304 million lost during Q2 shows just how expensive that shift has become.
For comparison, CargoNet estimated cargo theft losses at nearly $725 million for all of 2025.
What Truckers Should Know
For drivers hauling high-value freight, these numbers are another reason to stay alert about where and when you’re stopping. CargoNet has also warned that loaded trailers sitting unattended during weekends and holidays can present additional opportunities for thieves.
CargoNet’s Q2 data shows where thieves are striking and what they’re taking. California, Texas, and New Jersey were the three most targeted states, together accounting for 50.1% of all reported thefts during the quarter. Warehouses and distribution centers were among the most targeted locations, along with truck stops, making security a concern both while freight is sitting and while it’s on the road. Interestingly, food and beverage products were still among the most commonly stolen commodities by number of incidents, along with metals. However, the growing focus on high-value metals and technology loads helped push the total estimated losses from the quarter to a staggering $304,565,042 across 677 reported theft incidents.
The big takeaway from the latest numbers is pretty simple: cargo theft isn’t necessarily happening more often, but when thieves strike, they’re going after loads worth a lot more money.
For any truckers hauling electronics, copper, computer equipment or other high-value freight, be careful out there and always keep an eye out!
