UPDATE: In a shocking series of thefts, seafood worth an astounding $400,000 has been stolen from New England suppliers, raising alarm bells across the region. Authorities report that the incidents—spanning oysters, crab, and lobster—occurred within just a few weeks, highlighting a dangerous trend in seafood crime.
The first theft took place on November 22, 2023, in Falmouth, Maine, where 14 cages of oysters were stolen from an aquaculture site in Casco Bay. These oysters, many fully grown and ready for market, had an estimated value of $20,000. Marine Patrol Sgt. Matthew Sinclair remarked, “This is a devastating situation for a small businessman.”
Just over a week later, on December 2, 2023, thieves struck again in Taunton, Massachusetts. A shipment of crabmeat disappeared shortly after leaving the Lineage Logistics warehouse. The situation escalated on December 12, 2023, when lobster meat, destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota, was stolen by a fraudulent trucking company that had successfully impersonated a legitimate carrier.
Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies, described the heist as “a very sophisticated crime.” The impersonators utilized a spoofed email, altered the truck’s branding, and even produced a fake certified driver’s license. Rexing noted that this type of cargo theft has been escalating for over a decade, stating, “It happens every day, multiple times a day.”
Experts are warning that seafood theft is only one facet of a larger issue. Chris Burroughs, president of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, explained that freight theft is categorized into two types: impersonation and strategic theft. The lobster heist falls under the impersonation category, while strategic theft often involves phishing schemes to access payment systems without physically stealing goods.
The growing trend of seafood theft is more than a business concern; it has significant repercussions for consumers. “Whether you eat seafood or not, they’re stealing other items. They’re stealing items to build your cars. They’re stealing items that go into computers,” Rexing added. “Ultimately, that cost gets thrown to the consumer.”
As law enforcement continues to investigate these thefts, the potential for stolen seafood to enter restaurants and retail markets poses an immediate risk to consumers and businesses alike. Seafood lovers and industry insiders alike are urged to remain vigilant as authorities work to apprehend the perpetrators behind these alarming crimes.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops and local authorities ramp up efforts to enhance security measures within the seafood supply chain.
