Image Credit: @VoteMarsha / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Tennessee Senator and gubernatorial candidate Marsha Blackburn has introduced a bipartisan bill proposing more funding and resources to ensure law enforcement working to fight cargo theft has state-of-the-art technology to protect their operations.
Named the Cargo Security Innovation Act, the legislation would create a pilot program under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to “deploy advanced law enforcement or cargo security technologies at [six] intermodal hubs across the country” and require the agency to report to Congress “evaluating the effectiveness of these technologies”.
Blackburn has been pushing for such legislation for several months, particularly as resources became invested in the Memphis Safe Task Force. She discussed the subject during a September hearing for FBI Director Kash Patel, warning that Memphis has become a frequent target for criminals and gangs who use the cargo thefts to fund their operations.
As Memphis is a port city, has five major railroads, uses transportation routes along I-40, and is home to FedEx headquarters, it is one of the largest logistics hubs in the nation and has become a hotspot for the large-scale thefts.
The FBI has been targeting the cargo thefts in the area for months, citing the Bluff City alongside Chicago, Miami, and New Jersey as the areas most affected by these crimes. Cargo theft reportedly jumped by 57% in 2023, with losses topping $400 million.
In Memphis specifically, there was a 60% increase in the first six months of 2024 compared to the entirety of 2023. Greater Memphis Chamber President Ted Townsend has said Memphis ranks second for cargo theft in America.
The organized crime groups treat cargo theft as a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise to fund their drug, weapon, or human trafficking. As a result, heists are coordinated and elaborate missions using fake IDs, GPS blockers, encrypted communications, and surveillance teams, stealing everything from food to electronics to pharmaceuticals and disappearing without a trace.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating to stop these theft rings, but Blackburn believes they lack the proper technology and resources to apprehend the criminals. These are the deficiencies she hopes to address with her legislation.
“Cargo theft is a pressing issue impacting businesses in Tennessee, and we need to shut down these organized crime groups that steal essential goods from Tennesseans to traffic drugs and weapons,” said Blackburn. “Our bipartisan Cargo Security Innovation Act would help law enforcement bring more of these criminals to justice and disrupt these sophisticated cargo theft rings to protect our supply chains.”
The Act is co-sponsored by Minnesota Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar and has earned the endorsement of the American Trucking Associations, the Association of American Railroads, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, the Intermodal Association of North America, and IMC Logistics.
“Cargo theft significantly impacts the supply chain, harming American businesses and consumers, especially food shippers. When criminals break into shipments, businesses are forced to return containers and dispose of compromised products,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would equip law enforcement with the resources to combat these crimes — creating a pilot program that invests in technology to curb cargo theft.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
