LOBSTER PIRATES: FBI hunts for thieves who stole $400,000 worth of lobsters destined for Midwest Costcos

A valuable shipment of live lobsters worth approximately $400,000 was hijacked while being transported to Costco locations in Illinois and Minnesota, prompting an FBI investigation into what authorities believe may be part of a larger organized cargo theft ring. No arrests have been made.

The theft occurred after the shipment was picked up from a facility in Taunton, Massachusetts. Dylan Rexing, CEO of Indiana-based Rexing Companies, told Fox 32 Chicago that criminals posing as a legitimate carrier intercepted the load, and it never reached its intended destinations. "This is a huge issue across the country," said Rexing, explaining that "It directly impacts businesses and contributes to higher prices for consumers." The executive explained that the loss would affect his company's ability to hire new employees and provide bonuses.

Investigators said that a similar seafood shipment was stolen from the same Massachusetts facility earlier this month, raising suspicions of a coordinated operation targeting high-value perishable goods like seafood. Cargo theft has become a growing concern in the US, with estimates from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) indicating annual losses between $15 billion and $35 billion. Earlier this year, HSI initiated "Operation Boiling Point" to combat organized retail and cargo crime.

Such thefts often involve sophisticated schemes where criminals impersonate trucking companies or use stolen credentials to divert loads. The stolen lobsters, a premium holiday-season item, highlight how thieves are increasingly focusing on luxury food products amid rising supply chain vulnerabilities. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the FBI.