Laredo, United States - February 12, 2025 [Note: video containst subtitles] In a dramatic turn of events, a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper uncovered a human smuggling operation during a routine traffic stop in Laredo, leading to the arrest of a fugitive wanted for sexual assault. The high-stakes encounter unfolded on South Zapata Highway and Riverhill Loop as part of Operation Lone Star, a state-led border security initiative. The trooper pulled over a 2011 International truck tractor after spotting a traffic violation. But as the vehicle rolled to a stop, chaos erupted. The driver, alongside several passengers crammed inside, bolted from the truck, fleeing into the nearby brush in a desperate bid to escape. Undeterred, law enforcement launched a multi-agency search, combing the area until they tracked down the suspects. In total, authorities apprehended seven illegal immigrants hailing from Guatemala and Mexico, all of whom were swiftly handed over to Border Patrol. The real shock came when the driver’s identity was revealed. Junior Adalid Montoya-Alvarez, a 49-year-old Honduran national with lawful permanent resident status, was not only charged with smuggling of persons but also unmasked as a fugitive. A warrant for his arrest had been active out of Harris County, where he faces allegations of sexual assault. The bust underscores the unpredictable dangers faced by troopers patrolling the border, as a simple traffic stop spiraled into a manhunt and the capture of a wanted criminal. For now, Montoya-Alvarez is in custody, and the seven immigrants are in Border Patrol hands, leaving Laredo reeling from yet another chapter in the ongoing border saga.