A hijacked $400,000 shipment of live lobsters en route to Costco highlights vulnerabilities in the supply chain amid economic strains.
Story Overview
- A $400,000 lobster shipment was hijacked, impacting Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota.
- Organized criminals used sophisticated tactics, including email spoofing.
- This incident underscores broader supply chain vulnerabilities and rising cargo thefts.
- The FBI is investigating, but no arrests have been made.
Hijacking of High-Value Lobster Shipment
A $400,000 shipment of live lobsters, initially picked up in Taunton, Massachusetts, destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota, was hijacked during transit. The theft is attributed to an organized criminal ring employing sophisticated methods such as spoofed emails and burner phones to impersonate legitimate carriers. The incident, which surfaced around December 24, 2025, is part of a broader trend of rising cargo thefts targeting high-value goods.
The FBI’s Minneapolis field office has launched an investigation, although no arrests have been announced. This hijacking highlights vulnerabilities in the supply chain, particularly amid economic pressures like holiday demand and potential port disruptions. The targeted lobsters were sourced from Massachusetts, a key U.S. lobster hub, emphasizing the risks associated with transporting perishable goods.
Impact on Stakeholders and Broader Implications
This incident has had immediate financial repercussions for Rexing Companies, the logistics broker that arranged the transport, as they have absorbed the $400,000 loss. The CEO, Dylan Rexing, has publicly urged for federal action to combat organized criminal networks, noting that such thefts drive up costs across the supply chain, ultimately affecting consumers. Meanwhile, Costco, the intended recipient, faces potential disruptions in their holiday stock.
Long-term implications include increased insurance premiums and heightened caution among logistics brokers when handling high-value loads. The seafood and perishables sector is particularly vulnerable due to the high value and specific transit needs of such goods. This theft contributes to the estimated $15–35 billion annual losses from cargo theft in the U.S., further inflating consumer prices.
Federal Response and Industry Calls for Action
The federal government, through initiatives like Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Operation Boiling Point, is attempting to address organized retail and cargo crime. However, industry leaders like Dylan Rexing emphasize the need for more modern enforcement tools to protect brokers who are on the front lines of such sophisticated impersonation thefts. As the FBI continues its investigation, the industry is keenly observing for any developments that might lead to the dismantling of these criminal networks.
The broader logistics industry faces ongoing challenges, with calls for federal reforms gaining momentum. As the situation unfolds, the pressure mounts on policymakers to provide tangible solutions to curb the escalating threat of organized cargo thefts.
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$400k shipment of live lobsters hijacked en route to Midwest Costco locations
