A major operation by Southern California authorities has uncovered a multimillion-dollar cargo theft ring, placing former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s nicotine brand at the center of the investigation.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that a significant portion of the stolen merchandise recovered from a warehouse in Vernon is linked to Carlson’s brand.
On April 13, law enforcement officials conducted a raid on a warehouse located in the 3200 block of 46th Street, seizing approximately $4 million in stolen property.
Inside, officials discovered what can only be described as a treasure trove for thieves.
Images released by authorities reveal a variety of stolen goods, including stacks of televisions and piles of sneakers.
The inventory also featured an assortment of printers, speakers, skincare products, household items, and appliances.
Even data center cooling equipment.
And buried in the middle of it all, investigators say, were hundreds of thousands of nicotine pouches linked to Carlson’s ALP brand.
The products trace back to a stunning March hijacking that dealt a major blow to Carlson’s business.
More than 378,000 tins of ALP Drifter nicotine pouches vanished after being picked up in Southern California by a driver who appeared legit and presented convincing credentials.
The shipment was headed to Kentucky. It never made it and the truck went dark.
Investigators suspect its tracking system may have been tampered with.
Now, in a twist straight out of a crime thriller, a significant portion of that missing load has turned up in Vernon.
Sheriff’s Sgt. David Pantoja confirmed the recovered nicotine pouches match the stolen shipment, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Carlson’s company has been scrambling for answers since the brazen heist.
In a March post on X, an ALP spokesperson acknowledged the theft and dangled a hefty incentive.“Unfortunately, this is true. A truck carrying ALP Drifters was stolen. $100,000 reward announced.”
So far, one man has been arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
Authorities have not released his name.
Investigators believe the warehouse was being used as a hub for stolen cargo, part of a wider wave of organized retail theft and trailer hijackings hitting Southern California.
Photos from inside show branded boxes stacked floor to ceiling, including ALP Drifter Nicotine, Foot Locker, Epson, DeepCool AI, Renkus-Heinz and Medicube.
