Published on Tuesday, April 11, 2006
in the Ocala Star-Banner

OPERATION SANDSTORM

OCALA — Operation Sandstorm — a law enforcement sting targeting dump truck thieves along the coasts and cargo thieves down the Interstate 75 corridor — blew through Florida over the weekend.

Dozens of law enforcement officers from 13 counties teamed up for eight stings on four consecutive nights. In Marion County, they targeted 18-wheelers.

No major cargo thefts were discovered during the operation, which began last Thursday and continued until early Monday morning. But officers made eight felony arrests not related to cargo theft and recovered one stolen 18-wheeler.

"Sandstorm" was aimed at dump truck thieves, according to investigator David Vincent of the Florida Highway Patrol. In the past 18 months, more than 80 large dump trucks valued at more than $5 million have been swiped throughout the state, and most of the vehicles end up in chop shops in South Florida.

Agents have made a few arrests and learned that the transmissions, axles, engines and beds are worth more as parts than the whole truck put together.

While dump truck thefts haven't been a big problem in Central Florida, cargo thieves have been operating in Marion County, stealing a load of seafood March 26, swiping a load of frozen French fries April 2 and attempting to steal another load Friday. The thefts were the first ones in three years where the thieves got away with trailers that were never recovered.

"I believe this is a new group,’’ said Marion County sheriff's Capt. Tommy Bibb as he patrolled area truck stops Sunday evening.

Cargo theft is one of the nation's most costly crimes. Nationally, officials estimate that at least $10 billion in goods are stolen from trucks, shipping containers and warehouses each year.

Last month, new national cargo theft laws were enacted as part of the Patriot Act, including a Federal Bureau of Investigation crime reporting code, databases and enhanced penalties for thieves.

Besides the Sheriff's Office and FHP, law enforcement agents from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Department of Agriculture’s Motor Carrier Compliance Office and the Florida Department of Transportation targeted trucks along I-75, U.S. 301 and U.S. 441.

The statewide operation was organized by the Florida Commercial Vehicle Cargo Theft Task Force, one of the nation’s first statewide task forces designed to combat cargo theft.