Cargo Thieves Disrupt Oklahoma's Supply Chain

Industry leaders call on Congress to take action against growing criminal threat

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Oklahoma plays a crucial role in the nation's supply chain, with major rail hubs and trucking corridors moving essential goods across the state. However, cargo thieves have been increasingly targeting these transportation networks, causing significant disruptions and financial losses. Industry leaders Chris Spear and Ian Jeffries are now urging Congress to take legislative action to combat this growing criminal threat.

Why it matters

The supply chain disruptions caused by cargo theft in Oklahoma have far-reaching impacts, affecting the availability and cost of critical goods like food, fuel, and medicine across the country. Addressing this issue is vital to maintaining the resilience and efficiency of the nation's logistics infrastructure.

The details

Cargo thieves have been exploiting vulnerabilities in Oklahoma's transportation hubs, stealing truckloads of valuable goods. These thefts have resulted in significant financial losses for businesses and increased costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers. Industry groups are calling for stronger security measures, better tracking technologies, and tougher penalties to deter these criminal activities.

  • The cargo theft problem in Oklahoma has been escalating over the past several years.
  • Industry leaders Chris Spear and Ian Jeffries are now urging Congress to take action in 2026.

The players

Chris Spear

President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, a leading industry group.

Ian Jeffries

President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads, representing the nation's freight railroads.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Oklahoma sits at the crossroads of America's supply chain. From Tulsa's rail hubs to the trucking corridors that move goods across I-44, the Sooner State plays a vital role in getting food, fuel, medicine and manufactured products where they need to go. But cargo thieves are disrupting this critical infrastructure, and Congress must act to stop them.”

— Chris Spear, President and CEO, American Trucking Associations (spotonoklahoma.com)

“Cargo theft is a growing threat to the efficiency and reliability of our nation's supply chain. We're calling on Congress to strengthen security measures, improve tracking technologies, and impose tougher penalties to deter these criminal activities and protect Oklahoma's role as a vital logistics hub.”

— Ian Jeffries, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads (spotonoklahoma.com)

What’s next

Industry leaders are urging Congress to hold hearings and introduce legislation to address cargo theft in Oklahoma and across the country.

The takeaway

The growing problem of cargo theft in Oklahoma's supply chain hubs is having far-reaching impacts on the availability and cost of essential goods nationwide. Addressing this issue through legislative action is crucial to maintaining the resilience and efficiency of the nation's logistics infrastructure.