Railroad Thefts Cost U.S. Freight Networks $200 Million Annually, Prompting Increased Security Measures
U.S. freight rail networks are experiencing a significant surge in thefts, with criminals stealing over $200 million worth of goods from 75,000 incidents in 2025. This represents a quadrupling of theft levels compared to before 2020. The increase is largely attributed to criminal gangs, whose drug trade supply chains were disrupted during the pandemic, pivoting to cargo theft. These gangs target rail hubs in urban bottlenecks such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Memphis. A recent incident in Memphis involved three men stealing over $20,000 in women's clothing, toys, and non-alcoholic chardonnay from CSX Corp. railcars. AI-powered cameras and a task force, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and federal, state, and local agencies, led to the arrest of the perpetrators. The alleged thieves face felony burglary and theft charges, with one defendant potentially facing up to 15 years in prison due to the value of the stolen goods exceeding $10,000. The Shelby County District Attorney is preparing to se...