A multi-agency sting in Arizona’s Yuma Sector led to the arrest of 95 illegal immigrant truck drivers in mid-August, and the majority of the drivers had commercial licenses issued in California, federal officials said.
In total, 143 people from 18 countries were arrested during the enforcement blitz, which targeted human and drug smuggling activity and highway safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
The U.S. Border Patrol carried out the operation Aug. 10-14 with local Stonegarden Law Enforcement Partners.
During the week, officers identified 95 illegal truck drivers in possession of a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license.
95 ILLEGAL ALIEN TRUCK DRIVERS ARRESTED.
Working alongside law enforcement partners, @CBP arrested the truckers in Arizona — 76 of whom had driver’s licenses issued by CALIFORNIA.
We won’t stop fighting to get illegal alien truckers OFF our nation’s roads.… https://t.co/OojGPH3lHC
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 31, 2026
According to a CBP news release, 76 drivers had a California CDL, six were in possession of a New York CDL, and the remainder were from other states.
Agents also thwarted two human smuggling events, resulting in the arrest of four smugglers and 17 smuggled migrants. They also recovered a firearm, 74 pounds of methamphetamine, and 169 pounds of marijuana.
The Yuma Sector covers the southwest corner of Arizona and is primarily desert terrain. Agents secure 126 miles of United States border from the Imperial Sand Dunes in California to the Yuma-Pima County line.
Plot Twist!
Imagine filming and celebrating a “we got away with it” moment, only for agents to turn it into evidence for the case.
Near Newfield, Arizona, technology alerted Border Patrol agents to two vehicles entering through a remote area. Three Points Station agents… pic.twitter.com/6PIl1bb0Ci
— Chief Patrol Agent – Tucson Sector (@USBPChiefTCA) August 28, 2026
“We are committed to protecting our citizens from all international threats, whether that is from unlicensed or untrained drivers, or transnational criminal organizations engaged in human or drug trafficking,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin W. Caudle of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector.
Although illegal border crossings have plummeted under President Donald Trump, CBP continues to seize massive quantities of illegal drugs at bridges and other ports of entry along the southern border.
Trucking continues to be a key way for smugglers to bring weapons and humans into the country.
On Aug. 22, officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas intercepted 1,200 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $10 million. The drugs were concealed in a tractor trailer traveling from Reynosa, Mexico, with a shipment declared as leeks.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule to prevent unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses.
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DOT, CBP and immigration officers, have taken enforcement efforts to the highways in several states to remove illegal and unsafe drivers.
“The Border Patrol is working with federal partners to enforce the rule of law and restore integrity and safety to the nation’s transportation system,” CBP officials said. “This action will help remove another incentive for illegal immigration and further strengthen the most secure border in 50 years.”
The second wave of Operation Highway Shield in July removed more than 800 dangerous truckers across U.S. highways and freight corridors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio.
In its first wave, Operation Highway Shield conducted more than 3,300 inspections in Florida in March. The effort resulted in 176 drivers being taken out of service, including 54 who had language deficiencies and another 42 individuals were arrested for violating federal immigration laws.
Human smugglers also have returned to their old ways of sneaking migrants into the country on rail cars, semi-trucks and hidden compartments in vehicles.
In May, seven migrants died of extreme heat after being trapped inside a sealed freight train shipping container in Texas, leading to 11 alleged smugglers being indicted on federal charges by a grand jury in Del Rio, Texas.
Cars, trucks, or scooters—our #CBP officers know how to find even the most concealed hiding spots.
The #SanDiegoFieldOffice remains vigilant against evolving smuggling trends to stay one step ahead of illicit activity.#OFOProud #BorderSecurity #CBP #SanDiego pic.twitter.com/EjfKLxFtBZ
— Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki (@DFOSanDiegoCA) August 28, 2026
Fox News shared another video released by the Texas Department of Public Safety from May that shows illegal migrants crammed inside semi-truck sleeper cab in alleged smuggling bust.
DPS said that the driver, Miguel Angel Velazquez Chavez, a 25-year-old Mexican national, was charged with evading arrest and smuggling of persons.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, two suspected human smugglers led authorities on a 100-mph chase near Fabens, Texas, on Thursday, with one allegedly carjacking a civilian at gunpoint, authorities said.
Outstanding coordination by Border Patrol, AMO, HSI and Texas DPS. Suspected human smugglers hit 100+ mph and bailed out when their vehicle was disabled. One then carjacked a civilian at gunpoint.
Smugglers risk lives for profit. We will keep taking them down. pic.twitter.com/uGEWRNFCBk
— CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott (@CBPCommissioner) August 27, 2026
“Suspected human smugglers hit 100+ mph and bailed out when their vehicle was disabled,” CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott posted on X with a video of the pursuit. “One then carjacked a civilian at gunpoint. Smugglers risk lives for profit. We will keep taking them down.”
