Cargo Theft: Connecting Federal Oversight with Industry Action

October 20, 2026 · Virtual webinar

Cargo theft prevention depends on decisions made across organizations: whether a carrier’s identity can be trusted, whether changed instructions deserve another check, and how quickly useful information reaches the people able to act.

The Airforwarders Association’s Cargo Theft Committee hosted “Cargo Theft: A Unified Federal Perspective,” featuring Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Jesse Elison and retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Angel Martinez. Michael Taylor, Diakon Partners Managing Partner and AfA Government Relations Director, moderated the discussion.

Connecting prevention and response

The session brought federal oversight and investigative experience into an industry discussion of carrier identity, registration integrity, freight fraud, and organized cargo theft. These issues cross the boundaries between individual businesses, transportation oversight, and law enforcement.

The practical policy question is how to make coordination useful at the point of risk: what businesses should verify, which information supports an effective response, and how responsibilities can be made clearer across the cargo movement.

Diakon’s role

Taylor’s work for AfA included supporting agency participation, developing the discussion and questions, and moderating the exchange. The objective was to connect operational concerns with the federal responsibilities and investigative experience relevant to prevention and response.

The webinar formed part of AfA’s broader work on cargo theft and industry coordination.