The $4.5M "Newport" Crime Ring and the Wildest Traffic Jam in Logistics History

About this episode

The episode discusses a major cargo theft operation, personal stories related to logistics, and features insights on business credit and cybersecurity in the freight industry.

Welcome to a packed Monday edition of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, hosted by Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! In this episode, we dive deep into a multi-state cargo theft operation that recently led to eight indictments in New York after diverting $4.5 million worth of freight—ranging from beef and copper to massive hauls of cigarettes. Michael also shares a frustrating personal story about the disappearing security of airport valet tickets after his $3,000 Martin guitar vanished on a direct flight. On a brighter note, we highlight the Broker Carrier Summit’s exciting launch of the "Veterans in Logistics" initiative in Kansas City, naming John Tozer to lead the charge in connecting military veterans with great careers in transportation. Our first featured guest is small business credit fintech guru Gerri Detweiler, who explains why owner-operators must treat their business credit with the same urgency as their next load. Gerri breaks down how business credit reports are compiled behind the scenes by bureaus like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax to influence lenders, fuel card issuers, and insurance companies. Closing out the show is Aqil Naeem, founder and CEO of the e three…

People in this episode

Hosts: Malcolm Harris, Michael Vincent

Guests: Gerri Detweiler, Aqil Naeem

Topics covered

• cargo theft
• logistics
• business credit
• veterans in logistics
• cybersecurity
• traffic jam

Keywords

• cargo theft
• business credit
• logistics
• veterans
• cybersecurity
• traffic jam
• FreightWaves

Sponsors

KOONE

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax, e three group, Veterans in Logistics

Places: Kansas City

More episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

• The Atomic Bomb Threat to Broker Liability · June 12, 2026 · 46 min
• Amazon’s LTL Play, Robot Warehouses & the Broker Liability Shake-Up · June 10, 2026 · 56 min
• Why Professional Drivers Are Demanding MORE In-Cab Surveillance · June 5, 2026 · 51 min
• Why Automated Shippers Are About to Savage Pre-Smartphone Brokerages · June 3, 2026 · 47 min
• C.H. Robinson’s Massive Carrier Purge: “Caught with Their Hands in the Cookie Jar”? · June 1, 2026 · 46 min
• Why Traffic Hellholes Rank HIGHER for World Cup Freight Resiliency · May 29, 2026 · 54 min