Georgia Truckers Support Cargo Theft Investigation Unit

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has commended a state trucking association for donating to the state unit charged with investigating cargo theft.

The Georgia Motor Trucking Association has donated $16,000 to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Major Theft Unit. The MTU was created to target the individuals and groups responsible for cargo theft in our state.

“Cargo theft represents a big concern and cost for trucking and other freight haulers,” said Governor Perdue. “This donation highlights Georgia’s efforts in combating this crime.”

Georgia is a major logistics hub making cargo theft prevention an important priority for the state. The state estimates that 43.5 million truckloads of cargo, valued at $1.4 trillion, traveled through Georgia’s highways in 2009.

The MTU, created last year, has already seized $17 million in stolen cargo and made 71 arrests. In addition, the MTU has assisted in the seizure of $1.2 million in drug contraband.

The MTU also provides cargo theft investigation and prevention training to both local law enforcement agencies and the transportation industry.

GBI Director Vernon Keenan said the trucking association’s financial support will be used to purchase equipment for the MTU and to train state and local law enforcement.

Cargo theft crimes account for an estimated direct merchandise loss of $10 billion to $25 billion per year in the United States. Georgia has become the target for cargo thieves operating in the southeast, and is now one of the leading states for cargo crimes.