Cargo Crime ─ Security and Theft Prevention

Cargo crime—including theft, fraud, and the passage of contraband through commercial shipping lanes—poses an enormous threat to security and the economy. By understanding the current methods and operations of those who attack the supply chain, industry professionals can design effective security plans and law enforcement can properly investigate these crimes. Cargo Crime: Security and Theft Prevention is drawn from the author’s personal experiences as a law enforcement detective and supervisor and as a regional security manager for a large multimode transportation and logistics company. The book reviews emerging trends, identifies criminal tactics, discusses law enforcement response to cargo theft, and presents best practices to help businesses avoid victimization by cargo thieves.

Topics include:

• The various modes of freight transportation and the differences in cargo crime activity in each mode
• Methods of operation used by organized crime syndicates and narcotic smugglers
• The effective use of public and private information-sharing partnerships to thwart criminal activities
• Known profiles consistent in over 90 percent of contraband shipments

Cargo crime is a critical concern of freight transportation operators, manufacturers, shippers, insurers, law enforcement, and consumers. This book arms professionals charged with protecting the supply chain with essential information that can help them investigate and uncover criminal activity and develop a first class cargo security program.

John Joseph (J.J.) Coughlin is currently vice president of law enforcement services for LoJack Supply Chain Integrity (SCI). He is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing security processes, procedures, and investigations for SCI members. J.J. also works closely with law enforcement officers in deployment of LoJack In-Transit Service to support covert surveillance, dispatch, and recovery operations and investigations. He serves as the director of the Supply Chain Information Sharing and Analysis Center and supervises the collection, analysis, and dissemination of cargo theft and crime data. He is the chairman of the Southwest Transportation Security Council, which he founded to facilitate the sharing of information and networking with law enforcement and private industry. He has been a driving force behind the expansion of regional security councils and promoting information sharing by regional councils, law enforcement, and private industry.