Could you be arrested ?? !!

[guest]

I've been meaning to post this for a while, but keep forgetting. Our local newstation did 2 different stories recently involving trucks stopped on the interstate around West Memphis. Both trucks (seperate incidents) were hauling controlled substances (marijuana, i think). The driver's were arrested and charged with numerous and serious charges. I've looked for the articles on the web, but they don't have an archive, not that i can find anyway.

My question is the obvious. How do you know what you are hauling??

The factory where I work builds toolboxes. Those things are shipped in sealed cardboard boxes and usually stacked 2 high on a skid and shrink wrapped. How in the heck could you inspect that?

I'm sure there is a logical answer to all this, but I would like to hear it . It's kinda scary thinking you could get arrested because some idiot figures out he could hide dope in one of these boxes and ship it out.

Well, just looking for some comments.

Thx guys

 

[mcbride]

Arky,

I don't know about you but we have hauled what they term as "blind" shipments as well! The shipper puts the freight on and we are not even allowed on the dock and then they seal the truck! I don't know..maybe the seal would save our butts...but I don't think so.

 

[guest]

I would think that the seal would definitely save you, but I'm not sure what would happen if someone slipped it on there in a regualar load. There are people out there that would do it just for kicks even. Sad statement, but true.

 

[Weave]

This must happen more than anyone thinks. I recall two articles in Land Line, both on this subject. One was just in last month's Land Line, about a flatbedder who had a tank of somesorts on his truck loaded with marajuana. Authorites knew the driver was not involved, so they had him drive the load to the consignees under escort, who were arrested.
The other was a flatbed too, this one had a wheel loader tractor on it with marajuana packed into one of its tires that was caught by a drug sniffing dog. In this case the driver was arrested, even though he claimed to know nothing about the shipment other than he was suppose to pick up a tractor.
Most of the shipments I pick up are at reputable places I go to all the time. But every now and then, I'll get a shipment of stuff in cardboard boxes that picked up at a warehouse where I have no real idea what is in them. This past summer I took a lot of those to the "Cirque Du Soleil" circus in Chicago, where I swear half of those freaky performers have gotta smoke pot. I was probably their secret "supply chain."
-Weave-

 

[RobA]

I read where this happened a couple of years ago. The dogs at Windsor Customs found drugs on a reefer unit going into Toronto. The RCMP Drug squad had Customs release the truck and followed it to a produce warehouse. BOOM! they caught a whole bunch of people red handed. The trucker was questioned but was able to deny convincingly enough that he wasn't charged.
I would think that if the police caught drivers hauling contraband commodities, and the drivers were arrested, the police likely had enough evidence to charge them with at least being accessories.

Note:
Be very careful hauling "blind" shipments across the border. You are responsible to have an idea what you are hauling.