Craft Whiskey Heist Exposes Gaps in Security and Supply Chain Oversight

On July 31, a well-orchestrated fraud resulted in the theft of 12,000 bottles of craft whiskey—nearly half the inventory—valued close to $1 million from Washington’s Westland Distillery. This was no ordinary crime; it was a carefully executed heist that preyed on systemic weaknesses, leaving hardworking American entrepreneurs with a devastating blow. How Did Washington’s Craft Whiskey Industry Become So Vulnerable? The thieves arrived at Westland’s warehouse armed with forged paperwork, impersonating legitimate freight handlers authorized to pick up shipments bound for New Jersey. The stolen haul included the prized 10-year Garryana whiskey—a pinnacle achievement representing over a decade of craftsmanship...