Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, June 12, 2025:
Canadian police arrest 9, seize nearly $50M of cocaine in truck-involved drug ring bust
A Toronto, Ontario-area police agency this week announced that it, alongside Canadian and U.S. partners, dismantled a transnational organized criminal network that was trafficking illegal drugs into the Greater Toronto Area.
Peel Regional Police said the investigation, Project Pelican, marks the largest drug seizure in the service’s history -- with nearly $50 million worth of cocaine seized.
In June 2024, Peel Regional Police began investigating a cocaine smuggling operation using U.S.-Canada commercial trucking routes. By November, working with partners including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Border Enforcement Task Force in Detroit, multiple individuals, trucking companies, and storage sites linked to the operation were identified.
Between February and May 2025, information from Peel Regional Police led to:
CBSA intercepting a commercial truck at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, which led to the seizure of 127 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the trailer and the arrest of the driver
CBSA intercepting another truck at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, which led to the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden within the trailer and the arrest of the driver, with support from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Additional seizures were also made across the Greater Toronto Area in connection with commercial trucking by Peel Regional Police, some of which included individuals in possession of loaded firearms at the time of arrest.
Peel Regional Police
As of June 6, the following men, all Ontario-based, were arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, totaling 35 charges related to firearm and drug offences:
- Hao Tommy Huynh, 27, of Mississauga
- Sajgith Yogendrarajah, 31, Toronto
- Manpreet Singh, 44, Brampton
- Philip Tep, 39, Hamilton
- Arvinder Powar, 29, Brampton
- Karamjit Singh, 36, Caledon
- Gurtej Singh, 36, Caledon
- Sartaj Singh 27, Cambridge
- Shiv Onkar Singh, 31, Georgetown
Over the course of the investigation, police seized 479 kilos of bricked cocaine with an estimated street value of $47.9M and two illegal loaded semi-automatic handguns.
[Related: Oregon DOT moves on scale dodgers, issues more than 100 tickets]
Mack launches new digital tools for prospective Pioneer buyers
Mack Trucks this week introduced new virtual tools available to prospective buyers of its new flagship Mack Pioneer on-highway model.
Prospective buyers can experience the Pioneer through the Mack Live Tour and then design their customized truck using the Truck Builder.
“We’re excited to offer truck buyers two powerful ways to experience the all-new Mack Pioneer without leaving their home or office,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “The combination of our Live Tour experience and comprehensive Truck Builder platform creates a seamless digital journey from initial exploration to detailed customization, putting the customer in control at every step.”
[Related: Mack unleashes a monster with 'badass' new on-highway tractor]
The Mack Live Tour connects potential buyers directly with dedicated product specialists who provide comprehensive, one-on-one virtual tours of the Pioneer. During each 30-minute complimentary session, a segment-specific product specialist guides customers through detailed tours of the Pioneer tailored to their interests.
The platform features a one-way video format, allowing customers to view the specialist’s perspective while maintaining their own privacy. Participants can communicate through either audio or chat options.
After utilizing the Live Tour, customers can use Mack’s Truck Builder to customize every aspect of their truck. The Truck Builder offers plenty of customization options, allowing users to personalize the Pioneer from the ground up. Users can explore a full 3D rendering of both the truck exterior and the cab interior, including various trim options. They can also customize the exterior color with an expanded palette and have control over component selection across body, powertrain, axles, suspension and chassis, ensuring each Pioneer is tailored to their specific operational needs.
The free Live Tour is available to qualified buyers in the United States and Canada. Interested parties can learn more and schedule their personalized virtual tour here. The Truck Builder is accessible to anyone interested in exploring the customization options for the Pioneer.
[Related: First full look: Up-close with the new Mack Pioneer tractor]
Atlas Energy adds two more Kodiak autonomous trucks to fleet
Autonomous trucking system developer Kodiak Robotics has delivered two additional autonomous trucks to Atlas Energy Solutions and announced the launch of up to 24/7 driverless service, stopping only for things such as maintenance and refueling, according to Kodiak. Atlas began operating autonomous trucks in the Texas oilfields last year.
The announcement comes after the Texas House of Representatives in this year's regular session considered a prohibition on removing human drivers from the cab of an automated commercial vehicle in operation. Legislation in the Texas State Senate late in May would at once have done essentially the opposite. Among provisions of SB 2425 was one that stipulates "neither a licensed human driver nor a license ... is required to operate an automated motor vehicle if the automated driving system installed on the vehicle is engaged." Provisions in the U.S. Congress's budget bills currently being considered would prohibit state laws restricting automated-system development.
The two new Kodiak Driver-powered trucks are part of a 100-truck order placed by Atlas as the company seeks to automate its supply chain. The autonomous trucks pick up frac sand from Atlas's Dune Express, a 42-mile conveyor system that carries the sand from Atlas's mine closer to well sites. From there, the trucks transport the sand to Atlas's customer well sites across in the Permian Basin, which spans parts of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
[Related: First driverless haul in Texas oilfields]
"Our initial rollout of Kodiak Driver-powered driverless trucks represents a significant operational milestone in our autonomous strategy, creating a clear path to continue scaling our businesses together," said John Turner, President and CEO, Atlas Energy Solutions. "Kodiak's autonomous technology can meaningfully help us address challenges ranging from driver recruitment to demanding operating conditions. We plan to continue adding Kodiak Driver-powered trucks to our fleet helping to strengthen our long-term competitiveness."
Since launching commercial operations with driverless trucks in December 2024, Atlas's Kodiak Driver-powered trucks have delivered more than 800 loads and conducted more than 1,600 hours of driverless service.
Kodiak offers its Kodiak Driver-powered trucks under a Driver-as-a-Service model, where customers pay a per-mile or per-vehicle licensing fee that covers driverless operations and ongoing system support, with its trucks delivering day and night in most weather conditions.
[Related: Aurora puts operator back behind driverless wheel]
