Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 13, 2026:
Maverick Transportation gives drivers a pay raise
Maverick Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 69) announced Tuesday pay increases for flatbed over-the-road drivers and multiple dedicated driving divisions, effective on May 31.
Drivers in Maverick’s flatbed over-the-road divisions will see a $.04 per mile increase effective May 31, 2026. With this increase, starting student flatbed drivers will earn $.59 CPM ($73,000-$80,000 first year average) and experienced drivers will earn $.64-$.67 CPM ($84,000-$96,000 first year average). Additionally, more than 10 dedicated flatbed and glass divisions will also receive pay increases.
‘Illegal alien’ recruited truck drivers to distribute cocaine: U.S. Attorney
A 52-year-old “illegal alien” from Mexico living in Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced for his role in using tractor-trailers in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than $1 million in cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Luis Manuel Castillo Garcia pleaded guilty Nov. 3, 2025, to conspiring with others to organize and transport cocaine from Laredo to other locations across the U.S. and to illegally reentering the United States following his removal.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana ordered Garcia to serve 11 years and three months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess cocaine and 10 years for illegally reentering the country after removal. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected again to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence regarding Garcia’s criminal history, including prior convictions for drug possession and illegal reentry following removal. The court also heard evidence Garcia coordinated cocaine shipments from Mexico and participated in transporting large quantities of cocaine over an extended period.
In March 2025, Garcia recruited tractor-trailer drivers, including Luis Alonzo Pena Jr., to haul several loads of cocaine stored at a local yard.
Garcia arranged for two trailers containing hidden compartments of cocaine to be transported from Laredo. He paid $9,000 per trailer. Authorities seized the vehicles March 4 and 5, 2025, and discovered a total of 50 kilograms of cocaine.
Approximately two months later, law enforcement observed Garcia meeting Pena at a location in Laredo. Pena arrived in a red Chevrolet Silverado and accepted a duffle bag of cocaine for transport.
A subsequent traffic stop led to the discovery of the bag, which contained 15 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 18.5 kilograms.
The more than 65 kilograms of cocaine had an estimated street value of over $1 million.
Pena, 31, Laredo, was previously sentenced to more than 4.5 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
Both men will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Truck thief shot by police during chase
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred last week in Bourbon County involving deputies from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and an alleged truck thief.
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 11:40 p.m. Thursday, May 7. KBI agents responded to the scene.
Late Thursday evening, May 7, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen semi-truck traveling northbound from Pittsburg, Kansas. The vehicle was reported to be driving into oncoming traffic and fleeing from local law enforcement.
Crawford County deputies pursued the truck after the driver refused an attempted traffic stop. During the pursuit, the suspect continued to drive the wrong way in the southbound lanes. Deputies attempted to disable the vehicle but were unsuccessful.
As the pursuit continued into Bourbon County, two Crawford County deputies discharged their firearms, striking the suspect and vehicle. The suspect lost control of the truck near Highway 69 and Indian Road and was taken into custody.
The suspect was treated at a local hospital before being transferred to a regional medical center and is now in stable condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and KBI noted that information provided is preliminary, based on evidence collected and early statements of people involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others.
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