The Indiana State Police, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recently concluded the second wave of Operation Highway Shield , a major multi-agency commercial vehicle safety initiative conducted across Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio.
The three-day operation, conducted from July 28–30, 2026, targeted unqualified operators, unvetted drivers, unsafe vehicles, and commercial vehicle fraud along major Midwest freight corridors.
During the regional enforcement push across the four participating states, joint team operations resulted in:
766 unsafe drivers and vehicles placed out of service.
51 illegal immigrants detained , including 21 drivers operating with non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) issued out of state.
86 operators were arrested for dangerous criminal conduct, including road rage and domestic violence.
36 violations issued for failures to meet English Language Proficiency (ELP) safety standards.
Nearly $1 million in stolen cargo recovered.
“As a former state trooper who has walked these highways at 2 AM, I’ve seen firsthand the devastation caused when bad actors cut corners or use commercial trucks as cover for illegal activity,” said FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs. “This is about saving lives. We are taking the fight directly to corrupt dispatch rings, manipulated logbooks, and unqualified drivers who threaten law-abiding truckers and everyday commuters alike. If you are operating legally, we are here to support you. If you are cheating the system and endangering Americans, Operation Highway Shield is coming for your keys.”
“Every life lost from an illegal trucker behind the wheel of a big rig is a completely preventable tragedy – and this administration will not stand for it,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy . “Our new partnership with DHS builds on President Trump’s progress to secure our roads, eliminate fraud, and restore the integrity of trucking in America. I want to thank Secretary Mullin for collaborating with us on this mission as we continue to crack down on unqualified and unvetted foreign drivers. If you continue to illegally operate a big rig, your days on America’s streets are numbered.”
“Our troopers are committed to keeping Indiana roadways safe for everyone,” said Major Jon Smithers, Commander of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. “Partnering with federal agencies on Operation Highway Shield allows us to effectively identify high-risk drivers and unsafe rigs, thus ensuring that commercial transportation on our highways operates lawfully and safely.”
Operation Highway Shield represents an ongoing joint effort between USDOT and DHS to enforce federal commercial driver qualification standards, eradicate CDL fraud, and improve safety across national highways.