Phil Brink

Phil Brink is the Head of Fraud Media and Education at FreightWaves, where he investigates cargo theft, freight fraud and transportation security. He owned and operated a freight brokerage for more than a decade before organized fraud targeted his business, forcing him to rethink how freight companies identify and manage risk. The lessons he learned continue to shape his reporting, education and collaboration with brokers, carriers, shippers and law enforcement. He developed FreightWaves' Certified Fraud Compliance Officer (CFCO) program to give transportation professionals practical knowledge and a structured framework for identifying and managing fraud risk. Reach him at phil.brink@firecrown.com.
Aug - 2026 -
17 August
Phil Brink

$634K in cocaine found hidden inside tractor at Texas border crossing

A tractor-trailer entered a major Texas cargo crossing before inspection equipment flagged something unusual. What officers found inside prompted a federal investigation.

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Phil Brink

Police recover $258K copper load from stolen J.B. Hunt trailer in North Carolina

Kenly police connected the recovery to a suspected cargo theft operation spanning multiple jurisdictions. The investigation now extends beyond North Carolina.

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16 August
Phil Brink

FBI seeks truck drivers nationwide who may be victims in 54-count tax fraud case

Most identified clients were self-employed truckers who found Genuine Financial Services through word-of-mouth referrals. Investigators believe additional customers may not know whether the company completed their filings or paid their taxes.

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15 August
Phil Brink

$6.6M in vapes, nicotine pouches seized from US semis entering Canada in 4 days

Border officers intercepted three shipments from commercial drivers arriving from the United States. CBSA told FreightWaves what officers found and why organized crime remains a concern.

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14 August
Phil Brink

Nearly $111M in data center freight stolen as thieves test ‘bump and run’ tactic

Scott Cornell explains why compromised drivers made the tactic work and how stronger carrier verification could have stopped it.

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Phil Brink

5 suspects arrested in SoCal rail-cargo theft probe after shots fired from moving BNSF train

The BNSF train continued northbound as deputies searched rail cars from the ground and air. The investigation soon moved beyond the tracks.

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13 August
Phil Brink

Uber Freight confirms cyber incident after hackers claim nearly 1 million files

The company tells FreightWaves it contained the intrusion and engaged federal law enforcement. It has not confirmed whether the hackers’ purported files are authentic or disclosed what information may be involved.

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12 August
Phil Brink

K9 stop on Louisiana’s I-12 uncovers 358 kilos of meth in semi-trailer, driver now in ICE custody

A traffic stop along Interstate 12 in Denham Springs, Louisiana, escalated into one of the state’s largest methamphetamine seizures. Investigators have not disclosed what prompted the stop or where the truck was headed.

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Phil Brink

Wild West returns to California rails as suspected train burglar fires at BNSF officer

Officials confirmed someone took merchandise, but investigators still do not know the haul’s size or how many people participated.

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Phil Brink

Prosecutors say a hit man killed a federal witness tied to staged 18-wheeler crashes

After years inside an operation built around paid collisions and false lawsuits, one participant began helping the FBI. Prosecutors say the response was murder.

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11 August
Phil Brink

Ex-CBP officer used emoji code to let 477 kilos of Sinaloa Cartel drugs cross

A federal judge sentenced Garcia to nine years after agents uncovered manipulated assignments and ignored alerts. Another former CBP officer received an even longer term.

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Phil Brink

CBP finds $1.17M in cocaine after inspecting bell pepper truck at Texas border

A Kenworth hauling bell peppers drew additional scrutiny at a Texas border crossing, where CBP officers uncovered 16 packages of cocaine.

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10 August
Phil Brink

Stolen trailer investigation leads police to nearly $800K in cargo and vehicles

The inquiry started with one missing trailer, then expanded across four commercial assets and two unrelated computer shipments.

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08 August
Phil Brink

Police: Little Debbie snack fraud scheme involved deliveries that never happened

Shop N’ Save, Giant Eagle and Walmart locations surfaced during an investigation that started in Ohio and expanded into Pennsylvania.

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07 August
Phil Brink

CargoNet reports $304.6M in losses, Scott Cornell says Q2 theft drop is no trend yet

High-value metal and technology heists pushed estimated losses from $135.7 million to $304.6 million, even as reports fell 14% from Q1.

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06 August
Phil Brink

Truck driver admits $510K fuel card fraud without buying fuel

Court records show the company fueled trucks at its own facility, yet investigators uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in fuel purchases that should not have happened.

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Phil Brink

RCMP warn after 12 trucking businesses ship orders on fraudulent credit cards

Saskatchewan RCMP say the phone-order scheme targeted businesses selling truck tires, engine oil and trailer parts.

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Phil Brink

392 stolen vehicles worth $28M stopped before overseas export, RCMP says

Canadian authorities intercepted 392 vehicles worth $28 million in a yearlong crackdown targeting fraud rings and overseas exports.

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04 August
Phil Brink

Los Angeles Port Police help bust $12.5M meth lab, $2M Nike theft ring

Authorities seized 1,378 pounds of methamphetamine, including crystal and highly condensed liquid, during a July 28 operation. Port Police also highlighted cocaine, cargo-theft and firearms cases involving its task force officers.

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03 August
Phil Brink

$4M worth of cocaine found in Texas commercial truck

The sheriff’s office linked the tractor-trailer to an ongoing criminal investigation and valued the drugs at about $4 million.

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