Texas Trucker Busted with 23 Illegals Stuffed into the Cab of His Big Rig [WATCH]

A Texas truck driver stopped for a minor traffic violation was arrested after authorities discovered 23 illegal aliens concealed inside his vehicle, according to state officials.

The incident occurred on November 28 in La Salle County when a Department of Public Safety trooper pulled over 24-year-old John David Amaya for driving on the shoulder of Interstate 35.

During the stop, the trooper determined that Amaya did not have a commercial driver license.

The officer proceeded to conduct a search of the vehicle, leading to the discovery of 23 illegal aliens — including children — crammed into the truck’s sleeping compartment. Amaya was immediately detained at the scene.

According to the Laredo Morning Times, Amaya is charged with 23 counts of smuggling of persons, including minors, and possession of a controlled substance under one gram.

Under a 2023 law signed by Governor Greg Abbott, individuals convicted of smuggling in Texas face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Amaya remained in custody Monday evening on multiple bonds totaling more than $100,000.

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The migrants found in the vehicle were from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

They were referred to Border Patrol following the stop.

Body camera footage released by the Department of Public Safety shows the trooper following the truck along the highway before initiating the stop.

When questioned, Amaya initially claimed he was on his way to pick something up.

Asked whether he held a commercial driver license, he responded that he did but did not have it with him.

The trooper then requested permission to search the truck.

Amaya questioned the request, asking, “Is that required?” and attempted to call his lawyer.

He added, “There’s no reason you should be searching the vehicle.”

The trooper informed him that a K-9 unit would be deployed, advising that if the dog alerted to the vehicle, it would provide probable cause for a search.

Backup arrived moments later.

A K-9 was walked around the truck and alerted to the presence of concealed individuals or contraband.

“He got a hit!” an officer called out before Amaya was detained.

Troopers then searched the vehicle and unzipped the compartment leading to the sleeper area, where they found the illegal aliens sitting closely together.

The operation took place under Operation Lone Star, the border security initiative coordinated by the Texas Military Department and the Department of Public Safety.

Texas has been a focal point of illegal border crossings, with state data showing approximately 3.8 million migrants entering the state between January 2021 and September 2023.

Governor Abbott has stated that Texas will not absorb the impact of the ongoing border crisis alone.

In response, the state began transporting illegal aliens from Texas to sanctuary cities that publicly welcomed migrant arrivals.

Between April 2022 and October 2023, Texas spent millions on the transportation effort at an average cost of $1,650 per illegal alien, according to Axios.

The discovery of the migrants comes as the Trump administration continues expanding nationwide deportation efforts.

Officials have stated the administration is on track to remove two million illegal aliens in 2025.

Approximately 493,000 illegal aliens had been deported between President Trump’s inauguration in January and late October, while an additional 1.6 million illegal aliens self-deported during the same period, according to administration figures.

“Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence. Migrants are now even turning back before they reach our borders,” spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The New York Post.

She stated that President Trump and Kristi Noem “jumpstarted an agency that was vilified and barred from doing its job for the last four years.”