Cargo theft is no longer just a warehouse problem in Los Angeles. According to investigators, it has become a sophisticated underground business tied to organized crime, online resale platforms and multimillion-dollar black-market operations.
The Los Angeles Police Department recently gave media crews rare access to a raid in Bell, where investigators uncovered large amounts of allegedly stolen merchandise hidden inside a used car lot. Officers forced their way through locked rooms and storage areas, revealing shelves and boxes packed with consumer products ranging from tools and clothing to electronics and drinkware.
Police say the rise in online marketplaces and livestream shopping apps has made it easier than ever for stolen goods to quickly reach buyers. Investigators believe many consumers may not even realize the products they are purchasing could be tied to cargo theft operations…