Smugglers – Beware!

Smugglers – Beware!
July 20, 2008

There was a time, not too long ago, when smuggling into the United States via the state of Texas was a commonplace occurrence. The Tex-Mex border was a common entry point for illicit drugs and illegal aliens. The common border has been a favorite gateway for smugglers and a cause of concern for law enforcement officials.

Over the years, authorities have increased efforts to curb and curtail smuggling over the border and have become adept at catching smugglers through increased information and more effective surveillance and patrols.

One of the transport methods employed by smugglers has been commercial trucks traveling between Mexico and the US.

Smuggling of drugs and humans is a federal offense punishable by fine and possible short jail sentence. Illicit transport of illegal aliens and drug smuggling in your rig could have your truck confiscated until after the fine was paid. In all, the benefits may have outweighed the risk – until recently.

Changes in federal laws have greatly increased the penalties for illegal transport. However, the strange irony is that the trucker involved in these illegal activities still had a degree of protection under state laws. After paying the fine, or serving a short sentence, the same trucker could get behind the wheel and it was back to business as usual. Texas legislators have put the brakes to this strange turn of events.

Texas has initiated tough new measures to curb illegal transport of humans and drugs. Under the new initiative, federal records of offenses will be made available to the state. The goal is to alert state officials who have the power to revoke and cancel state issued driver and transport licenses. Texas officials have made it clear that their state has declared war on truck drivers involved with illegal activities. A first offense will cost a driver his license for one year. A repeat offense will cost a driver his license permanently.

Since September 2007, seven drivers have been caught smuggling and five licenses have been permanently revoked.

Smugglers – beware. The Texas Border Patrol is open for business.