ICE arrests 114 during I-26 and I-85 patrols targeting ‘fraudulent truck drivers’ and immigration violations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released results from a pair of operations targeting commercial vehicle drivers in South Carolina for immigration, criminal, and licensing violations.
ICE partnered with South Carolina law enforcement agencies through the 287(g) program for “Operation Safe Drive” and “Operation Rubber Duck,” from May 12 to May 14, 2026.
“The coordinated efforts targeted commercial vehicles, fraudulent truck drivers, illegal operator licenses and immigration violations, resulting in the removal of dangerous criminal and illegal alien individuals from the community,” ICE said.
Operation Safe Drive was conducted along I-26 and resulted in “numerous arrests for administrative and criminal violations and significant seizures of cocaine and cash.”
Operation Rubber Duck was conducted along I-85 near Greer, targeting “fraudulent commercial driver’s license holders, individuals with illegal operator licenses, and over-the-road truck drivers.”
The two operations resulted in the following:
- 114 criminal and administrative arrests
- 10 kilograms of cocaine seized with an estimated value of $200,000
- 145 vehicle stops and 77 inspections
- 89 citations for traffic and safety violations
- 22 drivers and vehicles removed from service
“Operation Rubber Duck underscores that Homeland Security Investigations and our partners will aggressively pursue, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks that threaten our communities,” said Mark M. Zito, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina.
“By working together, we are able to protect South Carolina families from the threats posed by criminal activity and unsafe drivers,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta Field Office Director LaDeon Francis. “These operations highlight the power of partnership in removing dangerous individuals from our roads and communities, making South Carolina safer for everyone.”
Participating agencies include ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the State Transit Police, the South Carolina State Transport Division, the Duncan Police Department, and other local police departments.