25 Illegal Immigrants Discovered Crammed in Box Truck in Live Oak County

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), as part of Operation Lone Star, discovered over two dozen illegal immigrants crammed inside a box truck during a minor crash investigation on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Just after 9:30 a.m., a DPS Trooper was approached by a concerned citizen at a truck stop along IH-37 in George West, Texas, regarding a minor crash in the parking lot. The Trooper made contact with the driver of a white 2005 International box truck, who stated she was driving to Houston after picking up mattresses in Alton, Texas.

During the interaction, the Trooper noted inconsistencies in the driver’s travel plans and requested consent to search the truck. With assistance from the George West Police Department, the Trooper discovered 25 illegal immigrants crammed into a small corner of the box truck. They were attempting to conceal themselves behind 30 mattresses and inside a crawl space within the truck’s wall, with little to no ventilation.

The group of 25 included 12 males, 12 females, and an 11-year-old child. They were identified as being from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. All 25 individuals were immediately removed from the truck for medical evaluation and subsequently referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

The driver, Silvia Patricia Santamaria, 43, of Houston, Texas, was arrested and charged with 25 counts of smuggling of persons. She was booked into the Live Oak County Jail.