Police are investigating the disappearance of a seafood shipment valued at approximately $400,000 after a truck carrying live lobsters failed to reach Costco distribution points in Illinois and Minnesota.
The shipment was collected in Taunton, Massachusetts, but never arrived at its intended destinations, raising suspicions of a coordinated cargo theft. Authorities have not yet confirmed where or when the shipment went missing, but the case has sparked wider concern within the logistics and seafood industries.
Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies, confirmed the loss and described the incident as part of a growing national problem. Speaking during an appearance on ChicagoLIVE, Rexing warned that cargo theft is no longer an isolated issue.
“This is a huge issue across the country,” Rexing said. “It directly impacts businesses and contributes to higher prices for consumers,” he added.
According to TheHill, the incident follows another reported theft earlier this month involving seafood stolen from the same Massachusetts facility, suggesting a possible pattern targeting high-value perishable goods.
Federal authorities are also taking notice. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued alerts to law enforcement agencies and freight carriers nationwide, urging them to share intelligence and data related to cargo theft.
The DOT further warned that such crimes do more than disrupt deliveries.
“Both categories create significant economic losses, disrupt supply chains, and in some cases fund broader illicit activities such as narcotics trafficking, counterfeiting, and human smuggling.”
Investigators have not yet announced any arrests, and it remains unclear whether the stolen lobsters were diverted for resale, smuggling, or illegal distribution. Authorities say the case underscores vulnerabilities in freight security, particularly for high-demand food products destined for major retailers.
