Texas authorities discovered 20 illegal immigrants concealed in a semi-truck’s sleeping compartment during a traffic stop south of Laredo, with the driver attempting to flee on foot before being apprehended and charged with human smuggling.

Traffic Stop Reveals Hidden Passengers

On May 18, 2026, shortly after 6:00 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper pulled over a white Volvo truck tractor on Interstate 35 near mile marker 28. The driver immediately attempted to escape on foot but was captured within moments. Officers then searched the commercial vehicle and uncovered 20 individuals packed into the truck’s sleeping area, a space designed for one person to rest during long hauls.

The concealed group included four minors among adults from Mexico and Guatemala. All 20 individuals were processed and transferred to United States Border Patrol custody for immigration proceedings. The cramped conditions in which these people were transported highlight the dangerous methods smugglers use to move individuals across Texas.

Driver Faces Multiple Charges

Authorities identified the driver as Miguel Angel Velazquez Chavez, a 25-year-old Mexican national. He was arrested at the scene and now faces charges of evading arrest and smuggling of persons. Chavez was booked into the Webb County Jail, where he awaits legal proceedings. The DPS Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the case and continues examining the circumstances surrounding the smuggling operation.

Ongoing Border Security Challenges

This incident reflects continuing challenges Texas faces regarding border security and human smuggling operations. Interstate 35, which runs north from the Mexican border through major Texas cities, remains a primary corridor for smuggling attempts. The highway provides direct access from Laredo to San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas, making it attractive for criminal networks moving people and contraband.

Texas DPS has intensified traffic enforcement operations along border routes in recent years, leading to increased interdictions of smuggling attempts. The agency coordinates with Border Patrol and other federal agencies to combat organized smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants while generating substantial profits. These operations often place migrants in life-threatening situations, including extreme heat exposure and dangerous vehicle compartments.