Tale Lites Issue 86

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🚔 Feds Say Trucking Network Moved Cartel Cocaine on US/Canada Routes

Federal prosecutors have charged 50 year old Kawal Preet Singh, a Round Table Pizza operator in Dinuba, California, after agents allegedly seized more than 41 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 guns, a digital scale and $11,800 in cash. Prosecutors allege Singh admitted he was storing meth for a friend and had previously distributed the drug.

This charge came from a larger FBI organized crime investigation involving suspected drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking and cargo theft.

Truckers allegedly moved cocaine across borders

The FBI's Fresno Resident Agency began its organized crime investigation in February 2025.

By May 2026, investigators received information about a Fresno area drug trafficker known as “Camy.” An informant described Camy as a “Sikh Indian man involved in trucking” who worked with other drivers to transport narcotics.

Investigators later developed evidence pointing to hundreds of kilograms of cocaine entering the U.S. from Mexico, allegedly on behalf of an unidentified Mexican cartel. Some of those shipments reportedly continued through the United States and into Canada.

Court documents however, do not specifically identify Singh as Camy, nor do they accuse Singh of personally hauling cocaine in a commercial truck.

Authorities also have not publicly identified the trucking companies, drivers, USDOT numbers, specific routes or border crossings involved.

What we still don't know

Despite the broader allegations, many details remain unclear.

Federal officials have not identified the suspected cartel, “Camy,” the trucking companies or the drivers allegedly involved in moving cocaine into Canada.

The court filings also don't identify specific cargo theft victims or say that any commercial trucks were searched or seized.

Singh was released under home detention and electronic monitoring. He is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges in court.

Why this is in Tale Lites

This case is another reminder that criminal organizations can exploit legitimate freight networks to move drugs and other illegal cargo.

For drivers or O/O this makes knowing who you're hauling for, verifying pickup information and watching for suspicious or fraudulent load activity that much more important.

Read more here

What do you think? For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

🚚 Freight Market Watch

All-in rates (linehaul + fuel surcharge), week of Aug 23–29

• Dry Van: $2.89/mile, up ~1 cent week over week

• Reefer: $3.45/mile, up ~9 cents week over week — the standout, with California produce lanes doing the heavy lifting (Fresno reefer rates up roughly 19 cents/mile eastbound)

• Flatbed: $3.51/mile, up ~1 cent week over week

Capacity, not freight, drove that move. Total equipment posts fell to 166,269, the lowest Week 35 on DAT's record, as CVSA Brake Safety Week pulled roughly 10% of trucks off the board. Load-to-truck ratios jumped across the board: van 12.0, reefer 23.6, flatbed 41.8.

At the Pump
Regional snapshot (August 31 reading, most recent official):

• Gulf Coast: $5.360/gal (still your cheapest fill-up)

• East Coast: $5.448/gal

• Rocky Mountain: $5.555/gal

• Midwest: $5.571/gal

• West Coast (excl. CA): $5.872/gal

• California: $7.218/gal — broader West Coast (incl. CA) averaging $6.497/gal

Diesel Prices over Labor Day Weekend reached historic high prices, you can read more here, but I still wanted to maintain posting this regular recent update. The numbers update on Tuesdays.

🏛️ New Bill Would Make Staged Crashes Federal Crime

The Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 was introduced in the House last week by Reps. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Vince Fong (R-Calif.).

The bill targets schemes in which people deliberately cause, stage or fabricate crashes to file fraudulent insurance claims and collect payouts.

Staged crashes have been a problem for the trucking industry, with commercial trucks often targeted because accidents involving large vehicles can lead to significant insurance claims.

Previous legislation introduced in Congress has focused specifically on staged crashes involving commercial motor vehicles.

This new bill would go further. If passed, any intentionally staged motor vehicle accident could become a federal offense, not just those targeting trucks.

The proposed penalties would be significant:

• Up to 10 years in prison for staging an accident

• Up to 20 years if the staged crash results in serious bodily injury

• Fines could also be imposed

Money collected from those fines would be directed to the Highway Trust Fund for roads, bridges and public transportation.

For truckers, the legislation could provide another federal tool to go after organized groups like the Billboard Attorneys in Louisiana, that deliberately cause crashes to target commercial vehicles.

📩 What are your thoughts?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444 

🍽️ Recipe of the Week! Air Fryer Steak Bites

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz sirloin steak tips or stew beef, cut into 1" cubes

• 1 Tbsp steak seasoning (Montreal, McCormick Grill Mates, whatever's on the shelf)

STEPS

1. Season: Toss the cubes with the seasoning right in the bag or a cup (no bowl to wash)

2. Air fry: 400°F for 7–8 minutes, shake the basket halfway. Pull at 7 for medium, 9 for well done.

   
   ~380 cal, 46g protein. Buy a family pack at Walmart, portion it into zip bags, and you've got three or four dinners sitting in the fridge. Sear crusted on the outside, still juicy inside. Nuke a rice cup or a steam bag of veggies while it cooks if you want the full plate, and a slice of provolone on top while it's hot melts down into a sauce.
   

Partner Post of the Week

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Long Time Trucker Writes Book on the State of American Trucking Industry

Is there a quiet war being waged against America’s truck drivers?

That’s the argument behind End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers, a new book by longtime driver and writer Gord Magill. Magill claims the industry that once represented freedom and independence is being attacked on all fronts, from government regulations, in cab surveillance technology, corporate consolidation, and the push toward autonomous trucks.

God Magill has decades of experience including 4 seasons on ice roads in Canada, road trains in Australia, and over the road in the US. He argues that drivers today face tighter control, shrinking margins, and a future where human truckers may be pushed out altogether.

If you drive a truck, have driven, or have a family member who drives then this book is a must read.

You can order the book HERE and use the promo code 4TRUCKERS20 for a discount at checkout!

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