In the latest episode of "The FreightCaviar Podcast", we sit down with Grace Maher and Jonathan McCormack of OTR Solutions. They shared their take on the current freight market, freight fraud, and talked about OTR's new platform for carriers.
AI agents are loud. Levity’s automation gets things done. Learn why freight ops need workflows, not hype.
Plus, Landstar delays Q1 earnings report due to massive fraud hit, witness tied to truck crash scheme murdered, UPS to cut 20K jobs amid Amazon pullback, and more.
A two-year investigation uncovers a drug smuggling operation using fire extinguishers to transport narcotics across the border.
A drug trafficking ring that allegedly packed fentanyl and other drugs into fire extinguishers concealed in scrap metal loads has been put to a stop. This elaborate scheme was brought to light after a two-year investigation dubbed Operation "Smoke Jumpers."
How it Worked:
Carin Trucking, a San Diego-based trucking company, has been spotlighted at the center of this alleged cross-border drug smuggling operation.
The ring consisted of six semi-trucks that regularly crossed the border, making deliveries to the Los Angeles area.
The affidavit supporting the search warrant details a meticulous process. Truck drivers would cross the US-Mexico border, their vehicles filled with what appeared to be scrap metal. Concealed within this cargo were the fire extinguishers filled with drugs. Once safely across, these trucks would journey to Los Angeles. Here, couriers awaited to collect the disguised extinguishers, now ready for further distribution within the vast urban area.
Big Haul: Thirteen seizures totaling 680,992 fentanyl pills, 3 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 17 kilograms of heroin, and 10,418 pills containing methamphetamine.
Arrests: 9 have been caught, one was already in custody, and seven are on the run in Mexico.
"The indictment alleges two narcotics conspiracies and 12 drug possession offenses, each of which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a potential life sentence. Count 15, which alleges a money laundering conspiracy, carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison."
Source: United States Attorney's Office Central District of California
Saia shares have had an incredibly challenging past week, dropping 33% after missing earnings, down $117 from its high at $354.15, now trading at $237.95.
Today we sat down with Karolina Plecha, a truck driver living in Norway. She shares insights on life on the road, the future of electric vehicles, and what she does to prepare for unpredictable weather conditions.
Is this trucker a criminal or just a hustler trying to stay in the game? It depends on how you look at it.
Nikola Corporation, once valued at $30 billion and hailed as the future of EV trucking, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s stock plummeted 40% today, marking a staggering 99% decline from its 2020 peak of $1,977 per share to just $0.45.
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