FreightWatch International is warning the supply chain of a new trend consisting of cargo thieves attempting to use jamming devices to defeat tracking technology on tractor-trailers.
The organization cites a few recent examples. In one, a tractor and trailer hauling pharmaceutical products was stolen from a truck stop in Georgia. The truck was equipped with more than one tracking device concealed within the cargo. Evidence suggests that the thieves attempted to deploy two separate jamming devices to interrupt the communication of possible tracking devices on the shipment, according to Heavy Duty Trucking.
The jamming was unsuccessful and law enforcement was able to track the shipment and recover the product intact. There were no arrests, though the investigation continues.
FreightWatch notes that this incident follows closely on the heels of another, in which suspected cargo thieves were apprehended in possession of jamming equipment in Brevard County, Florida.
“These two incidents may indicate the beginning of a trend in which cargo thieves are attempting to utilize jammer devices in the U.S. as a counter-measure to covert GPS tracking,” says the company, which sells also tracks and analyzes cargo thefts and trends.
“While the recent jamming events have not proven to be successful, the use of jamming technology represents a potential challenge to the theft recovery process and should be taken seriously,” FreightWatch says.
