ARKANSAS — State and federal agencies inspected 1,724 commercial vehicles and placed 393 trucks and drivers out of service during a two-day enforcement operation on Arkansas highways this week, and made 44 criminal arrests.
The Arkansas Highway Police partnered with federal agencies for Operation Highway Shield from 6 a.m. October 27 to 6 a.m. October 29, 2026. The operation targeted unqualified drivers, unsafe vehicles, fraudulent practices, and criminal activity throughout the state.
Results
- 1,724 commercial vehicle inspections
- 393 commercial trucks and drivers placed out of service
- 44 criminal arrests
- 1,011 motor carrier safety violations uncovered
“Beyond the statistics and the numbers, every unsafe truck or driver taken out of service represents a potential collision prevented and lives saved,” AHP Chief Holmes said. “Day in and day out, our officers work tirelessly on our highways to ensure every traveler gets home safely.”
Earlier Waves
Operation Highway Shield is an ongoing multi-agency effort led by the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Results from the second wave, a three-day operation from July 28 to July 30, were announced August 4. Inspectors from ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and state highway patrols:
- Detained 51 illegal immigrants, including 21 drivers with non-domiciled CDLs issued by California and New York
- Placed 766 unsafe drivers and vehicles out of service
- Arrested 86 operators for dangerous behavior, including road rage and domestic violence
- Issued 36 violations for failing English Language Proficiency tests
- Recovered nearly $1 million in stolen cargo
“When illegal aliens are behind the wheels of semi-trucks, they are putting American lives in danger,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “If you continue to illegally operate a big rig, your days on America’s streets are numbered.”
The effort follows a July DHS and DOT partnership to investigate fraudulent practices at CDL schools.
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