A big haul of tequila has gone missing in a double truck heist in Texas, affecting a brand supported by celebrities Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar.
What happened: Two trucks carrying Santo Tequila were stolen in Laredo on November 9 or 10, 2024. The loads contained 24,240 bottles and are valued at about $1 million.
- One truck was headed to a California warehouse and the other to a Pennsylvania distribution center, but neither made it.
- The theft is linked to illegal double brokering, with criminals likely using a GPS emulator to spoof tracking signals.
The impact: Fieri and his team are hitting a bump just as Santo Tequila marked its best year. Their independent distiller in Mexico is rushing to replenish stocks, crucial during their busy holiday season.
Fieri expressed concern, noting, “It’s like a movie — I never in a million years thought this was coming down the pike like this, but it's real,” reported PEOPLE.
Authorities involved: The Laredo Police Department, a Los Angeles cargo team, and CargoNet are all investigating. Fieri plans to offer a $10,000 reward to recover the extra añejo, a key product for their business.
Damage control: President of Santo, Dan Butkus, said the supply chain disruption could deeply affect their U.S. team and the livelihoods of those at their distillery.
At the moment, it's unclear if authorities have any leads on the missing shipments or those responsible for the theft. The stolen trucks remain unaccounted for, and the impact on sales is already being felt as holiday demands increase.