News roundup, May 29: Trucker arrested with approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine in truck

Updated Jun 1, 2020

Trucking news and briefs for Friday, May 29, 2020: 

Trucker busted with approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine
A Texas-based trucker was arrested in Massachusetts Sunday, May 24, after being stopped by troopers who found approximately 30 kilograms of what they say is cocaine.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Javier Robledo Perez, of Dallas, after they found some 30 brick-shaped objects wrapped in black plastic in the truck’s cab, according to court documents.

Court documents filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation say two MSP troopers pulled over the tractor-trailer at the Charlton service plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike after the truck entered the highway from Interstate 84 going 50 mph in a marked 35 mph zone and switched lanes forcing other vehicles to brake to avoid a crash.

Perez granted the troopers access to search the truck. Troopers called the FBI Boston Strike Force after they found the brick-shaped objects in the truck’s sleeper. FBI agents searched the truck and found a second box that reportedly contained more bricks, which were tested and found to contain cocaine.

Perez was charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, June 2.

U.S. 95 in Nevada closed for earthquake repairs
The Nevada DOT is closing U.S. 95 between the U.S. Route 6 and State Route 360 junctions from 6 a.m., June 3, through 4 p.m., June 17, for emergency earthquake repairs.

The highway sustained damage following a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred on May 15, approximately 20 miles southeast of Mina.

NDOT maintenance crews, as a temporary fix, shaved down cracked roadway surfaces with up to 3-inch gaps along a half-mile-long section of U.S. Highway 95 located roughly 6 miles north of Coaldale. The largest repairs entailed a 9-foot-wide full depth pavement makeover and a 40-foot-wide patch across the highway.

I-15 lane restrictions in Nevada to begin next week
The Nevada DOT will begin a project Monday, June 1, that will cause a lane restriction in each direction where the project is taking place.

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From June 1 through June 12, crews will be paving four median crossovers across a 19-mile-long area at mile markers 73.3, 78.6, 86.8 and 92, northeast of Las Vegas. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Xtra Lease adding 4,000 new trailers in 2020
Xtra Lease has ordered approximately 4,000 new trailers for 2020, which include a mix of dry vans and reefers. New trailers will arrive at the company’s rental facilities throughout the year.

The purchase includes a mix of 53-foot dry vans; 53-, 48- and 28-foot liftgate vans; and a select set of 53-foot reefers and 53- and 48-foot liftgate reefers.

All vans and reefers will be equipped with aerodynamic side skirts, low rolling-resistance tires and trailer tracking units. Dry vans will also be equipped with a cargo sensor.

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