Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Jan. 3, 2025:
I-85 shutdown extends 5 hours after driver's bomb threat
After being stopped by a South Carolina State Transport Police officer for an alleged missing license plate on his trailer, a truck driver told the officer there was an explosive device inside his truck, resulting in the shutdown of I-85.
The incident occurred Thursday, Jan. 2, along I-85 in Greenville County, South Carolina, near milemarker 44. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety said the officer initiated the traffic stop around 2:45 p.m.
Ahmad Jamal Khamees AlhendiGreenville County Detention Center
According to the South Carolina DPS, “No explosive devices were located and all lanes of I-85 were reopened at approximately 7:40 p.m. The driver was taken into custody without incident.”
Alhendi has been charged with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature; conveying false information about a bomb threat; and operating/permitting an unregistered vehicle.
Alhendi drove for Palatine, Illinois-based Globe Transportation Inc, which has 336 trucks and 345 drivers according to their most recent filings with FMCSA.
Border agents seize millions in drugs from trucks
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas, seized narcotics from tractor-trailers entering the U.S. from Mexico last weekend that totaled more than $6.3 million in street value.
The first seizure occurred on Friday, Dec. 27, when a CBP officer referred a 2022 Freightliner hauling a commercial shipment of roof sealant buckets. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 29.80 pounds of alleged methamphetamine within the shipment with a street value of $266,452.
The second seizure occurred on Saturday, Dec. 28, when a CBP officer referred a 2007 Freightliner hauling a commercial shipment of mechanical appliances for secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, officers discovered a total of 2,708.15 pounds of alleged marijuana within the trailer with a street value of $6,058,468.
The seizures combined had a total street value of $6,324,920.
CBP seized the narcotics, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizures.
[Related: Drug-smuggling attempts worth millions busted at border]
Specialized carrier group opens nomination period for annual awards
The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) is now accepting nominations for numerous annual awards, including its Jobs of the Year in rigging and transportation, fleet and driver safety and more.
Transportation awards include Jobs of the Year, Fleet Safety Award, Safety Improvement Award, Zero Accident Award, Driver Safety and Driver of the Year, and the Million Miler Award.
Fleet safety awards are based on a USDOT Recordable Accident Frequency rate of less than or equal to 0.67. Safety Improvement Awards are given to companies who show a reduction in their accident frequency rate for its miles traveled compared to the previous year’s accident frequency rate. Zero Accident Awards are awarded to companies who meet the criteria noted above, plus zero recordable accidents as defined by CFR Section 390.5.
For the Driver Safety and Driver of the Year awards, a driver may be nominated for a long record of safe and courteous driving, demonstrated leadership amongst peers, and outstanding contributions to highway safety.
The Million Miler Award is awarded to drivers for accumulating a minimum of 1 million consecutive OS/OW miles accident free.
Nominations for each award can be submitted online here through Feb. 28.
[Related: 'High, wide and ugly': The most specialized hauls of the year]
