Cyber Criminals Heist 19,000 Bottles of Tequila in Transit to North Carolina

(Photo: Craig Adderley/Pexels)

Sometime during the day on Dec 21, $380,000 worth of tequila mysteriously disappeared en route to North Carolina from Mexico. Officials believe it was the result of an elaborate cybercrime operation that intercepted the shipment.

The tequila belonged to Daytoon Distributors Inc., a North Carolina-based spirits company that manages Blue Shark Vodka and Summer Storm Moonshine. Daytoon’s latest venture — Hacienda Chactun Tequila — is tentatively slated for launch in January 2024 as it awaits inventory from Mexico.

The Daytoon spirits portfolio. Hacienda Chactun Tequila pictured in black. (Photo: Daytoon Distributors Inc.)

According to the brand’s CEO, cyber criminals hacked the logistics system of a truck transporting 19,000 bottles of its new reposado tequila. The criminals allegedly sent fake updates (including photos of traffic and a flat tire) after the shipment had been hijacked.

Officials traced the last known location to Rancho Cucamonga, 40 miles east of Los Angeles, California.

“We’ve poured our hearts and souls into crafting this exceptional liquor,” said Geoffrey Losee, outside counsel for Daytoon in a press release. “Now, thanks to these digital Scrooges, our launch has been thrown into disarray.”

Daytoon Distributors is headed by Mark Milliken, a retired navy admiral who commanded the USS Independence — the only forward-deployed aircraft carrier — and led NATO Maritime Forces in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Despite the heist, the company still plans on hitting its initial January launch date.

“Daytoon is a veteran-owned and operated business; we have not yet begun to fight,” said Losee.

“We’re currently exploring alternative distribution channels to get Chactun Tequila into the hands of our customers as soon as possible. There are so many things we are thankful for that these Grinches cannot take: our resilience, creativity, drive and passion for this industry.”

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