Thieves Steal Nvidia-Branded Trailers Only to Find 40,000 Pounds of Sand
Thieves in Newark, California, recently targeted two trailers bearing Nvidia and PlusAI branding, apparently expecting to find high-value AI hardware. Instead, the trailers contained a combined 40,000 pounds of sand used by the companies for autonomous trucking research. The incident highlights the growing risk of cargo theft targeting the technology supply chain as the market value of enterprise-grade hardware continues to climb.
According to Tom's Hardware, due to US export restrictions, stolen enterprise AI hardware commands black-market premiums in China where an Nvidia DGX B300 server sells for over .1 million, double its US retail price.
According to TechSpot, in comparison to the 00 sand haul, high-value tech freight stolen in California includes eight pallets of Celestica server switches made for Meta valued at 50,000.
According to Hello Gravel, standard construction and fill sand typically costs between 5 and 5 per ton in California, placing the total commercial value of 20 tons (40,000 pounds) of sand between 00 and 00.
The Heist and Recovery
The theft occurred when unidentified individuals broke hand locks on the trailers and attached their own truck cabs to haul the cargo away. PlusAI, a developer of autonomous trucking technology, initially believed the trailers were still parked outside its warehouse. The company was alerted to the theft after an executive received a text message from an acquaintance who had spotted the branded trailers parked near their own workplace in Newark.
According to Tom's Hardware, plusAI spokesperson Lauren Kwan confirmed that the trailers were recovered with the sand intact. The thieves abandoned the trailers, leaving behind the simulated loads and failing to access the more valuable technology-equipped truck cabs, which remained secured inside the company warehouse. According to The San Francisco Standard, the Fremont Police Department has confirmed that the case remains under investigation and no arrests have been made.
Rising Risks in the Tech Supply Chain
The attempted heist reflects a broader trend of organized groups targeting high-value computer and networking equipment. According to a Q2 2026 report from Verisk CargoNet, enterprise-grade hardware and components are increasingly vulnerable because they are often transported as conventional dry freight. This creates a significant mismatch between the high financial value of the cargo and its standard security profile.
As data center demand drives up the price of AI hardware, such thefts have become more frequent. The industry is currently grappling with rising costs for graphics cards and RAM, which have seen significant price increases throughout 2026. While the thieves in this instance walked away with nothing but sand, the incident serves as a reminder of the security challenges facing companies transporting sensitive technology assets across the supply chain.