North Carolina Trucker Impersonates SAP, Fraudulently Clearing Thousands of Truckers for Cocaine Use

In the trucking industry, most drivers are familiar with substance abuse professionals or “SAPs.” As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes, these are licensed or credentialed professionals with in-depth knowledge of substance abuse issues. SAPs must evaluate truckers with drug or alcohol violations to determine whether they can get back on the road. One trucker is accused of somehow becoming an SAP and fraudulently clearing thousands of truckers who would otherwise find it impossible to drive due to cocaine offenses in North Carolina and across the nation. 

North Carolina Trucker Somehow Outsmarts the FMCSA

In March of 2026, multiple sources reported that a trucker had somehow outsmarted the FMCSA, allegedly becoming an SAP with no credentials by simply “checking a box” while filling out an online form. This trucker previously tested positive for cocaine and became acquainted with the various hoops truckers must jump through in order to get back on the road. Then the trucker set about outsmarting and circumventing that system. 

The man seems to have registered as an SAP by going through the FMCSA Clearinghouse online and filling out a few basic online forms. This system seemed to have zero checks and balances, allowing the trucker to “reinvent” himself as an addiction specialist despite having no medical or psychological training. 

After gaining this credential, the trucker spent the next few years charging truckers hundreds of dollars for streamlined substance abuse checks and processes. These were truckers who had drug violations on their records, and this individual helped them get back on the road with virtually no effort whatsoever. Officials believe that 1 in 85 truckers who completed this “return-to-duty” process did so fraudulently with this individual’s help. 

The most amazing thing about this story is that the fraud seems to be ongoing. Investigators who spoke to Freightwaves state that “ongoing SAP activity” is occurring under this individual’s name. 

What if I Went Through My Return-to-Duty Process With This SAP?

Freightwaves states that if the FMCSA finds out that you went through the return-to-work process fraudulently, you could face criminal charges. Each time you went through this process fraudulently, you could potentially face charges of making false statements to a federal agency. Since 1 in 85 truckers eligible for the return-to-duty process went through this individual, thousands of truckers could now face criminal charges. You could also face CDL downgrades, and the FMCSA could reinstate your original cocaine violations. 

Can a North Carolina Cocaine Lawyer Help Me?

If you used a service similar to the one offered by the trucker who now faces numerous charges, federal or state authorities may re-examine your situation and potentially press charges. If you believe that a fraudulent SAP might have allowed you to circumvent normal FMSCA drug-treatment regulations, consider speaking with an experienced cocaine defense attorney in North Carolina as soon as possible. Contact Coastal South Law today to learn more.