Kentucky cops shut down organized ring responsible for $10 million in cargo theft

Officials in Kentucky announced that seven people have been arrested in connection with an organized theft ring responsible for $10 million in cargo theft.

On December 19, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Vehicle Investigations Branch successfully shut down an organized theft ring responsible for over $10 million dollars in cargo theft.

As part of the 18 month investigation, ten federal indictments have been filed and seven people have been arrested.

KSP was able to recover more than $5.2 million in stolen cargo.

The investigation began when KSP Vehicle Investigations Branch spotted an uptick in cargo thefts in Kentucky involving food, beverages, and copper.

“These types of theft utilize electronic crimes, identity theft and manipulation of trucking resources to threaten supply chains. KSP detectives used partnership they have cultivated across the country with local, state and federal agencies to successfully recover several stolen shipments, leading to seven arrests,” KSP said in a news release.

“Our Kentucky State Police troopers, officers and civilian staff are the best in the nation,” Governor Beshear said. “Every day they are making Kentucky safer and creating a better place for our families and children to call home. I ask that the commonwealth join me in thanking our vehicle investigations branch and pray for their continued safety and protection as they risk their lives for our state.”

“The KSP Vehicle Investigations Branch is a national leader in fighting organized cargo theft crimes,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “I’m proud of their efforts to combat a crime that targets high-value shipments by exploiting weaknesses in supply chains, causing substantial financial losses.”