CASE STUDY APAC NEWS


HOW SIMPLE CHECKS AND BALANCES CAN PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN


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Tony Lugg, Chair of TAPA APAC explains how good old-fashioned detective work solved a $2m computer parts theft


Just recently, whilst investigating a third theft of more than 7,000 microprocessor units valued at over $2 million, bound for Amsterdam, a police officer noticed a piece of packing tape in the wrong location. This simple but highly important discovery triggered a major theft investigation and the discovery of a secret compartment in a truck, one of the oldest cargo crime ‘tricks’ in the book.


The seven gang members involved in these losses were apparently a mixture of former employees of the manufacturers and other stakeholders. They knew the operation and processes so well that they had managed to pull off a series of thefts, concealing themselves in the assigned truck behind a plywood partition that resembled the interior of the container, creating a hidden compartment. Once the loaded vehicle was en route, the gang members were able to unpack the consignment, remove the microprocessor units, and then reseal the packages to leave no trace of tampering. After the packages were handed over to the receiving agent, the suspects would make their escape.


What was clear about these thefts was that they were pre-planned and carefully


synchronised. The secret compartment constructed inside the front section of a 40ft trailer had not previously been discovered during the pre-loading inspection or truck sealing process, raising questions over the effectiveness of the 7-point container inspection process, a requirement of C-TPAT as well as TAPA’s Trucking Security Requirements, or over whether these were even carried out at all.


Even using a simple Laser Distance Measure, costing only a few dollars, to check the length of the cargo hold might have identified the anomaly caused by the secret compartment in seconds. The use of tamper proof seals in strategic stress points, which flag up a ‘Tamper Void’ message, might also have highlighted the thefts on arrival, while the weight discrepancy between ship weight and airfreight weight should also have raised alarm bells.


The gang had identified that they had plenty of time to complete the theft having mapped out the supply chain and the transit time of the trucking operation, and knowing the customs clearance process made the task even easier as the truck would have been secured with a customs seal. What better sign of a secured load than an intact customs seal?


Thefts in transit crimes are always complex to investigate and need lateral thinking as well as a logical and analytical mindset. Not everyone is a good investigator when it comes to these types of thefts but, on this occasion, the vigilant officer who noticed the tape uncovered the secret compartment and sparked a series of discoveries which led to the arrests of the suspects and the issuing of an additional warrant for the ‘mastermind’ of the operation.


This case study is a good example of how additional checks and balances in the supply chain security and operational control measures could have identified or prevented the subsequent losses of the product. With any process, there needs to be an audit to test the effectiveness of the application and whether this was in place is still not known. Continuous training and ensuring that the security and quality teams have the tools they need to complete the checks are also paramount to any successful operational process.


TAPA Security Standards remain the most effective ‘Best Known Methods’ developed by industry, for industry to protect high value, theft targeted goods in transit. For more information, contact your regional TAPA secretariat.


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