The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Friday, July 13, ordered Alabama-based truck company MTI Transportation to cease all transportation services immediately based on evidence that it was a chameleon operation for two unsafe truck companies previously shut down by the agency.

“This case sends the message that we will shut down unsafe truck companies that attempt to illegally operate,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

FMCSA said it placed MTI Transportation out of service after safety investigators discovered the company was transporting goods for the former BM&L Trucking and IDM Transportation, both of which were issued an imminent hazard out-of-service order on May 11 for federal safety violations in the areas of vehicle maintenance and driver drug and alcohol testing compliance.

The agency said its safety audit of MTI Transportation found that three of the company’s drivers previously were employed by BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation, and that MTI Transportation used two commercial vehicles still registered to BM&L Trucking or IDM Transportation. The May imminent hazard out-of-service order now also applies to MTI Transportation.

“The practice of unsafe companies quickly reincarnating as chameleon companies to continue operations is unacceptable,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “Our agency is constantly doing everything within its current legal authority to keep one step ahead of these illegal actors.”