A Texas man found himself in handcuffs after authorities uncovered nearly two dozen undocumented immigrants concealed within a truck during a routine traffic stop. The alarming discovery unfolded in La Salle County, approximately 105 miles from San Antonio, on the evening of Friday, November 28.

The incident was initiated when a trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) observed a white Freightliner truck traveling on an improved shoulder along a central highway. As part of the state’s Operation Lone Star, which aims to curb illegal immigration and enhance border security, the truck was pulled over for further inspection.

Upon stopping the vehicle, the DPS trooper identified the driver as 24-year-old John David Amaya. Authorities reported that Amaya was allegedly operating the truck without possessing a commercial driver’s license, a requirement for such vehicles.

Body camera footage from the scene reveals Amaya before his arrest, accused of smuggling 23 undocumented immigrants in La Salle, Texas, on that November evening. The footage, provided by Texas DPS, captures a tense exchange where Amaya, claiming employment with a private firm, questions the necessity of a vehicle search by asking, “Is that required?”

In body camera footage of the encounter, Amaya could be heard claiming he worked for a private company and became defensive when the trooper requested permission to search the vehicle, asking, “Is that required?”

Amaya continued to push back against a potential search, adding, “There’s no reason you should be searching the vehicle.”  

The trooper then informed Amaya that he would be sending a police K-9 unit to search the vehicle, adding that he would have probable cause to search the truck if the dog alerted to any findings. Amaya replied by telling the officer he was on the phone with his lawyer.

An Operation Lone Star traffic stop uncovered 23 illegal immigrants hidden inside the sleeper compartment of a truck in La Salle, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Texas DPS)

Shortly after, additional authorities arrived and began walking the K-9 around the truck, with authorities detaining Amaya after the dog had caught a scent.

Additional footage shows officers opening the sleeper area of the truck, ultimately uncovering 23 illegal immigrants hidden inside the vehicle. 

Amaya was arrested and charged with 23 counts of smuggling of persons, DPS said. 

John David Amaya was pulled over for a routine traffic stop while driving a truck tractor in La Salle, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (Texas DPS)

Additionally, Border Patrol took custody of the 23 illegal immigrants, who hailed from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Under legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, anyone found guilty of smuggling individuals faces a mandatory 10-year minimum prison sentence, according to DPS.  

DPS and Border Patrol did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.