Congress Takes Aim at Cross-State Organized Retail Crime
Organized retail crime (ORC) is a growing threat to communities across America. These sophisticated criminal networks steal high-value merchandise from local stores, often using online marketplaces to resell the goods.
The problem isn't confined to one city or state; ORC can cross state and national borders, laundering profits that can fuel crimes like drug and human trafficking. Local law enforcement is doing its part, but their reach is limited when crimes span multiple jurisdictions.
A recent example of an ORC operation was the GNS Crew in New York City. Prosecutors allege the organization targeted more than 100 Home Depot stores across nine states, stealing millions of dollars in merchandise. The network allegedly stole roughly $9 million before a 2½ year investigation resulted in charges against 13 people last December.
The National District Attorneys Association has testified before Congress twice and authored letters supporting the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA). This legislation would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to strengthen real-time information sharing among federal, state, and local law enforcement. The goal is to help investigators connect cases across jurisdictions and identify criminal networks.