Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026:
TA Services acquires Carmen Pacheco Transportation, Interload Forwarding
TA Services, the non-asset flagship division of PS Logistics (CCJ Top 250, No. 21), has acquired the assets and operations of Carmen Pacheco Transportation, LLC (CPT) and Interload Forwarding, LLC (ILF).
CPT and ILF are family-owned transportation and logistics businesses serving customers across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The acquisition expands TA’s cross-border transportation and warehousing capabilities and strengthens its presence in two key border markets: El Paso and Laredo, Texas.
Together, CPT and ILF provide local and long-haul transportation, warehousing, cross-docking, freight consolidation and deconsolidation, brokerage, and customs-related services. The transaction includes trucking assets, five warehouses totaling more than 550,000 square feet, and a truck yard of approximately 10 acres.
“Cross-border performance depends on what happens on both sides of the border and at every handoff in between,” said Scott Schell, CEO of TA Services. “CPT and ILF have developed their people, built exceptional facilities and demonstrate elite transportation capabilities to manage those handoffs for their customers. We are merging two similar cultures with a strong focus on the core values that drive success in our businesses. Bringing our teams together gives us a stronger foundation to serve manufacturers and other shippers moving freight through the U.S.–Mexico corridor. As the industrial economy continues to expand in 2026 and over the years to come, we are setting ourselves up to be a key partner to support this growth.”
What began as a family enterprise founded by Richard Ibarra Sr. has grown into an integrated transportation and warehousing operation. The entire CPT and ILF team and members of the Ibarra family will remain involved in the businesses, providing continuity for employees and customers as the teams come together, TA Services said.
“We built these companies by knowing our customers, keeping our word and taking care of the freight entrusted to us,” said Richard Ibarra Sr., founder of CPT and ILF. “We are excited to partner with TA. This gives our customers access to more markets and services, and it gives our employees a place to work and grow under a strong brand that shares our commitment to service.”
Florida allocates $54M for truck parking expansion
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week highlighted more than $20 billion in investments aimed at revitalizing Florida’s turnpike, including nearly $54 million to expand and improve truck parking across the system.
As part of FDOT’s plan to widen the entire 320-mile Turnpike Mainline from South Florida to I-75 in Wildwood, every section of the Mainline across the state will be expanded to six or more lanes. Once complete, these improvements will add more than 965 lane miles of capacity to help reduce congestion, giving families more time together and less time in traffic, a press release from DeSantis’ office said.
The Florida Department of Transportation has already added 384 lane miles across Florida’s Turnpike System, including 179 lane miles along the Turnpike Mainline. The state’s more than $20 billion Mainline Widening initiative has been a major focus and is currently 55% complete.
“As Florida has grown, we have made major investments in our transportation infrastructure to reduce congestion and improve our roadways,” said DeSantis. “We’ve made significant investments in expanding lane capacity to relieve congestion all along the Turnpike. Today, I announced an additional investment to improve 19 restaurants and retail locations across six Turnpike service plazas. We will keep working to ensure that our roadways are safer, more convenient, and better-maintained than ever before.”
Additionally, with a $53.8 million investment to expand and improve nearly 150 parking spaces at the Turkey Lake and Ocoee Service Plazas, these improvements will provide truck drivers with additional safe and reliable places to stop, eat and rest while supporting Florida’s supply chain, the state added.
DeSantis also highlighted recently updated food options, amenities, and other customer service enhancements at Turnpike service plazas, including renovated areas for new and refreshed vendors of Jimmy John’s, Zaxby’s, Vending Oasis, and Villa Pizza.
Canadian truck driver guilty of smuggling undocumented passenger
A Canadian citizen truck driver has pleaded guilty to bringing an alien to the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
As previously reported, in the early morning hours of June 24, Khvicha Chalisuri, 63, was encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York, seeking entry to the United States in a commercial truck.
Chalisuri was asked if anyone else was in the truck and he said no. Chalisuri was then referred to X-ray to have the truck and cargo scanned. During the scan of the truck, an officer noticed Alexandru-Stefanita Iordache, a citizen and native of Romania, standing in the sleeper berth of the cab. He was removed from the truck.
Subsequent investigation determined that Iordache, who was living in Canada, has no authorization for lawful entry to the United States. When questioned, Chalisuri claimed that Iordache was his codriver and that he was sleeping in the truck. However, Iordache was not listed on the manifest and was not presented to officers for inspection.
Iordache was previously convicted and sentenced.
Chalisuri’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.
[Related: Canadian truck driver, passenger arrested at border for human smuggling]
