Border Patrol Finds 42 Migrants in Trailer in Texas and Arrests Driver

42 Migrants Found Locked Inside Trailer

Man Detained in Texas

Trailer Was Sealed From the Outside

Authorities accused an Oklahoma man of attempting to smuggle dozens of migrants through a federal checkpoint in South Texas.

Agents arrested Juan Nasario-Reyes, from Beaver, Oklahoma, on Friday at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Sarita, Texas.

The checkpoint is located 85 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Fox News.

42 Migrants Found Locked Inside Trailer in Texas

Oklahoma trucker charged after 42 migrants found locked in hot tractor-trailer at Texas checkpoint https://t.co/HI0zpnpWma

— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) May 20, 2026

According to Border Patrol agents, the driver appeared nervous during the initial questioning.

Authorities said Nasario-Reyes claimed the truck was empty.

He also stated that he was the only person inside the white Volvo tractor-trailer.

However, a canine unit alerted its handler to the sleeper cab and the front section of the trailer.

Border Patrol Detected the Trailer

Oklahoma trucker charged after 42 migrants found locked in hot tractor-trailer at Texas checkpoint https://t.co/Pvk1vVzQsC pic.twitter.com/cv3qPwZFUH

— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) May 20, 2026

Agents reported finding four migrants inside the truck’s cab.

Another 38 migrants were locked inside the trailer, according to the complaint filed against Nasario-Reyes.

Authorities said the trailer was secured with a latch from the outside.

The complaint states that the people inside had no way to open the doors or escape.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Hunger Strike at ICE Center Sparks Allegations of Pressure Against Detained Immigrants

Agents detailed that temperatures had reached 92 degrees at the time of the discovery.

Inside the trailer, they also found water bottles, trash, and a bucket used for urination.

Authorities did not report any injuries after the discovery.

The migrants found came from several Latin American countries.

Among them were people from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

Migrants from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, and Brazil were also identified.

Methamphetamine Found in the Cab

According to federal agents, they also found a small amount of methamphetamine during the inspection.

They also found a glass pipe and a glass funnel.

The items were discovered inside a headphone box located in the cab area.

Nasario-Reyes now faces charges related to Texas migrant smuggling and narcotics.

Authorities said the defendant could face up to five years in federal prison.

He could also receive a fine of up to $250,000.

Separately, the narcotics charges carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

So far, it has not been reported whether the defendant has legal representation.

Migrants Will Face Immigration Proceedings

Federal authorities said 13 of the migrants will face charges for illegal entry or illegal reentry.

The rest of the people will be immediately removed from the country, agents said.

The Texas migrant smuggling case is now under federal investigation after the arrest at the Sarita checkpoint.

Authorities did not reveal how long the migrants had been inside the trailer.

They also did not report the truck’s final destination.

The case comes amid surveillance operations carried out at federal checkpoints in South Texas.

The checkpoints are used to detect human smuggling, narcotics, and other federal crimes.