Cargo theft across the United States and Mexico surged in the second quarter of 2025, with incidents becoming more sophisticated, more violent, and more concentrated in specific geographic hotspots, according to new industry data.
In the United States, theft cases jumped 33% year-over-year, totaling 525 incidents between April and June. This follows a 10% rise in the first quarter, indicating a sustained upward trend. California accounted for 38% of cases, with the Los Angeles and Long Beach port regions alone responsible for 36% of all thefts nationwide. The Southwest as a whole saw 40% of incidents, fueled by front-loaded imports and bottlenecks in the supply chain.
Texas recorded 21% of thefts, followed by Tennessee (15%), Pennsylvania (10%), and Illinois (7%). Many of these occurred along major freight corridors such as I-10 and I-40, where organized rings expanded their reach beyond traditional hotspots.
Electronics topped the list of targeted products, with mixed loads representing 29% of cases, batteries and panels at 18%, computers at 14%, and TVs or displays at 11%. Food and beverages remained high-risk, especially coffee, energy drinks, and sports drinks, which made up 21% of thefts, followed by produce and snacks at 15%. The home and garden sector saw heavy targeting, notably appliances (38%) and pet supplies (21%). Metal thefts nearly doubled from last year, particularly copper, mirroring commodity price increases.
Pilferage—partial theft from shipments—was the most common method, representing 52% of cases. Full truckload thefts accounted for 22%, with Texas leading at 56% of those incidents. Deceptive pickups made up 7% of thefts, while facility thefts held steady at 14%. Last-mile courier thefts fell to 2%. Increasingly, thieves are moving away from opportunistic snatch-and-grab approaches toward technology-enabled, organized operations, often using AI-driven targeting to select high-value goods.
In Mexico, the situation was marked by an even higher level of danger. Violent attacks were reported in 82% of theft cases, with hijackings, kidnappings, and armed threats against drivers commonplace. Puebla led with 23.5% of incidents, followed by the State of Mexico at 20%. Other heavily affected states included Guanajuato, Michoacán, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí.
Food and beverage shipments were most often targeted, representing 33% of thefts. Avocados—especially those destined for export—were a notable focus for criminals. Building and industrial materials accounted for 10% of stolen cargo.
Most Mexican incidents (65%) happened while vehicles were in motion, with another 34% taking place at unsecured parking locations. Criminal groups, including cartel-affiliated operations, have been reported setting up fake checkpoints, using spike strips, and conducting coordinated ambushes well away from border zones. These attacks frequently occur during high-traffic shipping windows, especially from 6 p.m. to midnight and from 6 a.m. to noon, aligning with transit schedules.
The economic toll in Mexico is severe, with annual losses exceeding $368 million. The thriving black market handles everything from auto parts to baby formula and fresh produce. The climate of risk is making it increasingly difficult for carriers to recruit and retain drivers, compounding the country’s logistics challenges.
Overall, both countries are experiencing an escalation in cargo crime, though with different primary threats—fraud and sophisticated pilferage in the US versus violent hijackings in Mexico—driven by organized crime, economic pressures, and evolving criminal tactics.
