LARAMIE COUNTY, Wyo. — A three-day enforcement surge targeting commercial truck drivers who were bypassing ports of entry has resulted in 40 undocumented truckers being placed into deportation proceedings, according to Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak.

The coordinated operation — involving the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) — unfolded Tuesday through Thursday of last week. The focus: truckers using back roads in the early morning hours to avoid commercial inspections.

195 traffic stops were conducted, all based on violations such as speeding or lighting defects. WHP performed 133 commercial vehicle inspections, placing 44 trucks and 38 drivers out of service. According to WHP, 62% of inspected vehicles had violations, a rate officials called “high” and concerning for public safety.

Kozak said the operation was initiated after law-abiding truckers repeatedly complained about unlicensed and undocumented drivers avoiding weigh stations.

“It actually surprised me how big this problem is,” Kozak said. “The ratio of unlicensed drivers was unbelievable to me.”

Serious criminal histories among those detained

Of the 40 undocumented individuals placed into ICE custody:

• One had a prior sexual assault conviction and had been deported twice.

• Another had DUI and larceny convictions and had been deported five times.

None were booked into the Laramie County Detention Center. ICE had transport units ready to take all detainees directly to Aurora, Colorado, for processing.

A multi-agency effort

Each day, the operation included:

• 5–6 sheriff’s deputies

• 8 ICE officers

• 8–10 Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers

WHP’s federally certified inspectors issued out-of-service orders that included:

• 45 brake-system violations

• 16 licensing/credential violations

• 10 English proficiency violations

• 2 drug-related violations

WHP Colonel Tim Cameron said the high violation rate highlights why continued enforcement is essential, especially on bypass routes used to avoid state-controlled checkpoints.

“The safety of Wyoming’s motoring public is our top priority,” Cameron said. “We will continue proactive, targeted enforcement to ensure commercial carriers are in full compliance.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and neither ICE nor the ACLU of Wyoming commented publicly as of publication time.

📸 Image used under fair use for news reporting.