FAIRVIEW, Ore. -- Police cracked down on movers who are operating without valid licenses in a sting operation on Wednesday.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office teamed up with Oregon Department of Transportation workers to catch illegal movers who are trying to work without having the proper certification.

Police and ODOT have teamed up for similar sting operations a few times before and each time they find more people trying to conduct moving business illegally.

In most cases, the crews advertised their services on Craigslist. A quick records check shows officials whether the business is legit and licensed.

Multnomah County deputies watched from a decoy house in Fairview as they waited for movers to show up.

But ODOT officials already know they don't have the proper certification and right away, they are confronted by police.

Two men who arrived claimed they have all the right paper work, but ODOT workers said they've only applied for certification and have not received it.

In the state of Oregon, moving services are regulated by the Department of Transportation.

Every mover must be registered to pack and load, plus have certification to carry if they drive as well.

ODOT official Norm Cooper said it's all to keep citizens safe.

"If you were aware that they were drug users or if they were on parole or they already had criminal records. You might not want to have them in your home," Cooper said.

After the movers are caught, deputies and ODOT workers inspect their rigs. Some of the trucks exceed weight limits and that will lead to even more fines.

Darrin Gilbert and his partner use their Jeep to drive around and pack people up, but they haven't been doing it legally.

"It's a wasted day, a loss of business and a loss of extra cash for the fines I have to pay and stuff," Gilbert said.

He will have to pay a $427 penalty, but he said he admits he is wrong, and even though he learned the hard way he knows he can turn things around.

"I need to go down and fill out the application packets I just received," Gilbert said.

During Wednesday's sting operation, the sheriff's office and ODOT gave 26 tickets to illegal movers. Some of those people had been caught in previous stings.

ODOT, Police Catch Illegal Movers In Sting