The $400,000 Lobster Heist: Inside New England Seafood Theft

Imagine a buffet for 40,000. That's how many oysters just vanished in New England, part of a string of sophisticated heists that included $400,000 worth of lobster meat. According to the Associated Press, these aren't random petty thefts but high-tech cargo crimes targeting the region's premium seafood industry.

A Masterclass in Deception: The New England Seafood Theft

The crime spree began on November 22 in Falmouth, Maine, where 14 cages of market-ready oysters were stolen from an aquaculture site. Weeks later, the focus shifted to Taunton, Massachusetts, located about 160 miles away, where a load of crab disappeared followed by a massive shipment of lobster meat destined for Costco stores.

The December 12 lobster heist was particularly brazen. A fraudulent trucking company impersonated a legitimate carrier using spoofed emails and a fake certified driver's license. "It's a very sophisticated crime," said Dylan Rexing, CEO of Rexing Companies, noting the thieves even changed the name on the side of the truck to complete the ruse.

Why Cargo Theft is a Growing Crisis

This isn't just about seafood. Experts like Chris Burroughs from the Transportation Intermediaries Association state that this "strategic theft" happens multiple times a day. While the stolen lobster likely ended up in local restaurants due to its short shelf life, the broader trend involves everything from electronics to car parts, ultimately driving up costs for everyday consumers.