Guy Fieri’s Tequila Trucks Stolen in a Bold Robbery
Guy Fieri was taken aback to hear that two trucks full of Santo Tequila had vanished. He co-founded the tequila brand alongside musician Sammy Hagar.
During a segment on “60 Minutes” that aired on CBS on October 5, Fieri, along with the CEO of his company, discussed how an organized crime group managed to steal two semi-trucks that contained about $1 million worth of tequila.
When he received the call from his company’s president about the situation, his first concern was for the driver’s safety. “I asked, ‘Can you explain what happened?’ and he said, ‘They’ve disappeared.’ My immediate thought was, ‘Is this a hijacking? Is the driver okay?'” reflects Fieri, likening the situation to something out of a movie.
In November 2024, two trucks carrying tequila destined for the Santo Tequila warehouse in Lansdale, Pennsylvania were stolen, resulting in the loss of over 24,000 bottles. The tequila had traveled from Mexico through Texas before reaching Pennsylvania.
CEO Dan Butkas mentioned that when the delivery was late, they were told by the logistics company that there was a mechanical issue with one of the trucks. Initial delays, they thought, were just typical. However, when further updates came in, Butkas received mixed signals, creating confusion.
They initially believed the delay was due to a breakdown, but it soon became clear that the trucking company was involved in a scam called “double brokering.” The logistics firm had subcontracted the delivery to vehicular operations that turned out to be fraudulent.
As Butkas reveals, tracking the trucks via GPS provided false information, leading them to believe everything was fine. “We thought delivery just had a hiccup. Then, finally, we get an email saying the truck is close and will arrive. But then it never showed,” he said, frustrated.
Eventually, law enforcement helped to locate one of the drivers involved and recovered one of the trucks, along with 11,000 bottles of tequila. It was discovered that many drivers were misled, thinking they were simply delivering goods when they were part of a larger scheme.
Keith Lewis, a former police officer now working to combat such crimes, explained that scammers take advantage of vulnerable drivers by offering them seemingly legitimate jobs. “It’s much like online dating in a way,” Lewis noted. “People are connecting and booking transportation without ever meeting face-to-face.”
Fieri expressed his pain regarding how this theft affected his employees. “It was tough knowing how many people depended on us. Seeing everyone get laid off because we couldn’t deliver — that one hit hard,” he admitted.
Hagar previously hinted to media outlets that this robbery was methodical and premeditated, affirming that the criminals went to great lengths to execute their plans. It’s a reminder that, even in the world of high-quality tequila, no one is safe from the unexpected twists of fate.
As Fieri concluded, “This isn’t something to brag about. If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone, and that reality is painful.” While some tequila was recovered, the fate of the remaining cargo remains uncertain, leaving Fieri and his team with lingering concerns about their business’s future.
