MTS, district attorney crackdown on border "wildcatting"

How it works: They wait near the border and aggressively court would-be riders into unpermitted vehicles and often get into altercations with taxi drivers.

Driving the news: MTS and law enforcement launched an educational outreach initiative Wednesday, and say they're increasing enforcement after observing an increase in the activity in Otay Mesa, outside the new PedWest crossing.

Flashback: The practice has been common outside the San Ysidro Port of Entry for years.

• But MTS has itself been blamed for creating a chaotic scene that allowed wildcatters to flourish. 
• Critics say the transit agency built a disjointed long-haul bus terminal in San Ysidro, rather than a modern, multi-modal facility befitting the busiest border crossing in the western hemisphere.

What they're saying: "Accepting rides from unpermitted drivers who operate illegally and are not vetted can put people at risk of becoming the victim of crimes like recruitment for human trafficking, fraud and overcharging," District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a release.