They came to the United States from Eastern Europe with the promise of earning good money working in the trucking industry. Instead, these truckers found themselves trapped in an alleged immigration scheme hauling cars across the U.S. seven days a week, sometimes driving up to 20 hours a day – with getting paid a fraction of what they were owed. 

This week’s episode of Long-Haul Crime Log investigates allegations from drivers who say they were lured from Eastern Europe to what they thought were lucrative jobs transporting cars. The reality involved working dangerously long hours for little pay in a shadowy corner of the trucking industry. In some cases, they were afraid for their lives. 

Freightwaves investigative journalist Clarissa Hawes explores the stories of these drivers and the allegations against the owners of a group of trucking companies, Dmitriy and Inna Chebanenko. Hawes explains how one driver’s decision to go public with his allegations against the Chebanenkos led other drivers to come forward. 

The episode is hosted by Hawes and fellow reporters Nate Tabak and Noi Mahoney. 

Read more: Driver says trucking company threatened family after he alleged illegal practices

Reach out at [email protected] or find us on Twitter @LongHaulCrime.

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