Border Patrol Arrests Nearly 100 Truck Drivers in Operation
U.S. Border Patrol agents and partner agencies arrested 143 people during a five-day enforcement operation in Arizona’s Yuma Sector, including 95 truck drivers who officials said held state-issued commercial driver’s licenses.
Operation focused on smuggling and highway safety
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the multi-agency operation targeted human smuggling, drug trafficking and related highway-safety concerns along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Acting Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle said the operation was intended to protect the public from unlicensed or untrained drivers and from criminal organizations involved in smuggling activity.
The 143 people arrested were from 18 countries, according to CBP. The agency described the 95 truck drivers as undocumented immigrants operating commercial vehicles with state-issued commercial driver’s licenses.
Most licenses issued by California
Of the 95 truck drivers arrested, 76 held California-issued CDLs, while six had CDLs issued by New York. The remaining drivers held commercial licenses from other states, Border Patrol said.
CBP did not provide additional details in the material released about the individual drivers, the specific trucking companies involved or the charges filed in each case.
Additional arrests and seizures reported
Authorities also reported arrests connected to human smuggling and the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana and a firearm during the operation. The agency did not identify the quantities seized in its summary.
The arrests come amid broader federal enforcement efforts focused on commercial drivers who authorities say are not legally authorized to remain in the United States but hold state-issued commercial licenses.
