YUMA, Ariz. — A weeklong multi-agency enforcement operation in Arizona resulted in the arrest of 143 people from 18 countries, including 95 undocumented truck drivers who possessed state-issued commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The operation, conducted by U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector in partnership with local Stonegarden law enforcement agencies from August 10 through August 14, targeted human and drug smuggling as well as other organised illegal activity.Of the 95 truck drivers arrested during the operation, 76 were in possession of California-issued commercial driver’s licenses, six had New York CDLs, and the remaining 13 held CDLs issued by other states, CBP said.
The figures mean that approximately 80 per cent of the truck drivers arrested who possessed state-issued CDLs had California licenses. The operation has therefore raised questions about commercial driver’s licensing, immigration status and the screening of individuals operating commercial vehicles.CBP said its agents also disrupted two human-smuggling events during the operation. Four alleged smugglers were arrested, along with 17 people whom authorities identified as being smuggled. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized one firearm, approximately 74 pounds of methamphetamine and 169 pounds of marijuana, according to the federal agency.“We are committed to protecting our citizens from all international threats, whether that is from unlicensed or untrained drivers, or transnational criminal organisations engaged in human or drug trafficking,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin W. Caudle of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector.
Indian nationality not specified
CBP said the people arrested came from 18 countries, but its August 31 press release does not provide a country-by-country breakdown of the 143 arrests or identify how many of the 95 truck drivers were Indian nationals.Consequently, the official CBP figures currently establish the number of California, New York and other state-issued CDLs, but do not establish the number of Indian nationals among those arrested.The distinction is significant because a driver’s state-issued CDL does not indicate the driver’s nationality. Any claim regarding the number of Indian nationals involved would require additional confirmation from CBP or another official source.
The enforcement operation comes as federal authorities continue to focus on the eligibility and qualifications of commercial truck and bus drivers. CBP said the Department of Transportation has issued a final rule intended to prevent unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses.According to CBP, Border Patrol is working with federal partners to enforce immigration and transportation laws and strengthen the safety and integrity of the nation’s commercial transportation system.The agency said the operation was carried out under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, with CBP and its law-enforcement partners continuing efforts against individuals involved in criminal activity, human smuggling and drug trafficking.The Arizona operation highlights the growing intersection of immigration enforcement, commercial trucking and public safety, particularly as federal authorities increase scrutiny of commercial driver’s license eligibility and the qualifications of individuals operating heavy vehicles on U.S. roads.