Trucking rap sheet: Truckers busted with $1 million worth of pot

Two Florida-based truckers were arrested recently in Indiana for hauling 260 pounds of marijuana concealed in a load of fresh lettuce. (Indiana State Police photo)Two Florida-based truckers were arrested recently in Indiana for hauling 260 pounds of marijuana concealed in a load of fresh lettuce. (Indiana State Police photo)

Action in three trucking-related crimes has recently been reported by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General and the Indiana State Police, including truckers hauling marijuana, a carrier tampering with hazmat tanks, and medical examiner fraud.

Two Florida-based truckers arrested with $1M worth of marijuana

The Indiana State Police on August 8 arrested two truck drivers during a routine inspection along I-70. During the inspection, a trooper noticed “several criminal indicators” and began a search of the trailer.

The search yielded 260 pounds of hydroponic marijuana concealed within a load of fresh lettuce. The lettuce was being transported from Colorado to Florida. Indiana State Police estimates the street value of the marijuana to be $1 million.

Arrested were 33-year-old Jorge Blanco-Diaz of Miami, and 40-year-old Adan Labanino Delacruz of Cutler Bay, Florida. Both were charged with a felony of dealing marijuana.

Indiana man pleads guilty to altering markings on hazmat tanks

Kevin Cleveland, an intrastate carrier of petroleum products in the greater Indianapolis area, pleaded guilty on July 18 to one count of altering and tampering with markings on hazmat cargo tanks. He was sentenced to six months of probation, 48 hours of community service and a $100 special assessment fee.

OIG’s investigation found that he had altered and tampered with the markings associated with hazmat inspections and tests of a cargo tank, transported hazmat in a cargo tank that had not been inspected and tested as required, and made and provided false documents to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Alabama woman sentenced for role in med exam scheme

Joann Bush, a medical assistant for Dr. Kenneth Edwards in Phenix City, Alabama, was sentenced after pleading guilty for her role in performing DOT medical exams without being listed on FMCSA’s National Registry and not having a medical license. She was sentenced to 36 months of probation and six months of home detention.

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OIG says Bush, Edwards and an employee named Andrea Daigle charged patients for medical exams that did not satisfy DOT requirements, and uploaded the results to FMCSA, falsely certifying that Edwards had performed the exams.