Arizona operation detains 95 undocumented truck drivers with out-of-state licenses
A multi-agency sweep in Arizona’s Yuma Sector arrested 95 undocumented truck drivers who held commercial licenses from several U.S. states.
Between August 10 and 14, authorities in the Yuma Sector of Arizona captured 95 undocumented truck drivers who had obtained commercial driver’s licenses, primarily from California and also from New York and other states. The operation disrupted two human-smuggling schemes, resulting in the arrest of four smugglers and 17 people being smuggled. Agents also seized 74 pounds of methamphetamine and 169 pounds of marijuana.
Overall, law enforcement detained 143 individuals representing 18 different nations. Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle emphasized the goal of protecting the public from unqualified drivers and transnational crime. The Department of Transportation is finalizing a rule to restrict CDLs to certain non-immigrant visa categories, a move supported by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Why it matters
The bust highlights vulnerabilities in driver licensing that can be exploited by criminal smuggling networks.
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