Trucking News and Briefs for Thursday, May 30th 2024:
Latest border raids find hidden cocaine, meth
Officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, working at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility (California) discovered large amounts illicit drugs being smuggled into the United States in tractor-trailers.
On Friday, May 17th, officers discovered 400 pounds of cocaine hidden in compartments that were not factory-made within a truck’s gas tanks.
CBP officers met a 35-year old man driving a tractor and an empty trailer at the facility around 9 p.m. on that evening. He was applying for entry into the country from Mexico. CBP officers referred the driver, who was a valid border card holder, for further inspection along with his equipment.
A CBP canine unit screened a tractor-trailer in the secondary inspection area and alerted officers that they should examine the fuel tanks.
After a thorough examination, CBP agents discovered packages hidden inside a compartment in both the tractor’s gas tanks. The packages were analyzed and the cocaine was identified. A total of 160 packages weighing over 400 pounds were extracted. CBP officers seized narcotics, the tractor-trailer and the driver. Homeland Security Investigations was given the driver for further investigation.
Meth worth more than $18 million was found among the zucchini.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
On Monday, May 20th, officers discovered $18 million in methamphetamine concealed within a load squash. CBP officers met a 44-year old male driving a tractor trailer manifested as squash at 6:47 am that day. CBP officers referred the driver, who was also a valid border card holder, for further examination along with his tractor-trailer, and shipment.
After examining the tractor-trailer closely, we observed irregularities. CBP officers requested that a CBP canine be sent to detect narcotics and humans. The canine team alerted officers of the presence of narcotics.
CBP officers found and removed 1,419 packages hidden within the load. The narcotics tested were identified as methamphetamine, weighing 11,469 pounds and having an estimated street worth of $18,350,000.
CBP officers seized narcotics, the truck and trailer. The driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in order to conduct further investigations.
[ Related to: Truck driver caught with cocaine at border]
Three new TA Express locations opened
TravelCenters of America announced the opening of a new TA Express location in Louisiana, and another in Arkansas.
The Arkansas location in Jonesboro, off I-555 offers 90 truck parking spots, a KFC Restaurant, six diesel lanes and seven showers. The location’s physical address is 3021 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive in Jonesboro, AR.
The company has also opened a TA Express near the I-310, west of New Orleans, in St. Rose. It has 60 truck parking spots, five diesel lanes, and three showers. In September, a KFC is expected to open.
In Grambling, Louisiana off I-20, a TA Express offers 31 truck spaces, with more to come, six diesel lanes and two showers. A Jimmy John’s will open in September.
[ Related to California truckstop signs biodiesel deal]
Port of Oakland to receive federal grant for zero-emissions transition
The Port of Oakland, along with a coalition of twenty partners, has applied for a federal grant to help accelerate the conversion of Oakland Seaport to 100% zero-emission operations.
The Port and its clean-energy partners are seeking a grant of $417 million through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program : Zero-Emission Technology deployment Competition.
The Port’s proposal has the title “Community-led, Business-supported, Proven, and Ready to Go!” The Port of Oakland’s project, “Transforming the Port of Oakland into Zero Emissions,” would advance industry and community goals for a transition to zero emissions operations and strengthen existing relationships to achieve shared goals.
The Port is working closely on the proposal with 20 community-based organisations, workforce development organizations and marine terminals. Port users and industry leaders are also involved. It will support emission reductions and climate adaption initiatives that could benefit East and West Oakland’s industries-impacted communities, while advancing an air monitoring system supported by the air district and community verified to measure project effectiveness.
The Port proposes an up to $586,000,000 project, which includes the replacement of 760 pieces with zero-emissions (battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell), including:
- 482 drayage trucks
- 179 yard tractors
- 59 forklifts
- 33 Front End Loader
- Five reach stackers
- One rail car mover
A major component of the proposal is the partnership with three local workforce organizations to support green skills, train drivers and provide them with the latest zero-emissions vehicles and equipment. The project also includes a Truck Loaner Program that will provide zero-emissions vehicles to independent owner operators and fleets in disadvantaged communities at no cost to truckers.