Islamic Center of Maineville tied to donations from flagged trucking firms

Key Points:

• A mosque under construction in Maineville, Ohio, has received substantial donations from Uzbek-owned trucking companies with numerous safety and compliance violations, raising local concerns about trucking fraud and public safety.
• Several trucking companies donating to the mosque, including Buraq Limited, Premier Trucking Group, Foko Logistics, Maca Transportation, and Phoenix Cargo, have been cited for serious violations such as unsafe driving, English proficiency failures, and vehicle maintenance issues.
• The Islamic Center of Maineville’s Telegram channel shows connections with current and former Uzbek government officials and promotes local Uzbek trucking firms, suggesting close ties between the mosque, the trucking industry, and the government of Uzbekistan.
• Local residents and officials, including Ohio state Rep. Michelle Teska, have expressed concerns over lax regulations, language barriers in commercial driver licensing, and the safety risks posed by some foreign-owned trucking companies in the area.
• Warren County authorities have increased enforcement efforts targeting trucking violations, while the local prosecutor acknowledges a significant rise in legal cases involving Uzbeks, highlighting the need for greater law enforcement awareness and community integration efforts.