Freer, Texas, November 29, 2025
Authorities found 51 undocumented migrants, including two juveniles, hidden in a refrigerated tractor-trailer in Freer, Texas. The migrants were cramped beneath boxes of produce and suffered from inadequate clothing and limited means of escape. The nervous driver, a 50-year-old Honduran national, has been charged with smuggling and could face up to 10 years in federal prison. This incident highlights ongoing human smuggling challenges in Texas, as part of a larger effort by federal authorities to combat such operations.
51 Migrants Found Hidden in Refrigerated Trailer in South Texas
Freer, Texas – On November 22, 2025, authorities discovered 51 undocumented migrants concealed in a refrigerated tractor-trailer near Freer, Texas. The migrants, including two juveniles, were found in a cramped compartment beneath boxes of produce, suffering from limited means of escape. The trailer was maintained at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and the individuals lacked adequate clothing, resulting in complaints of numbness and cramped limbs due to the confined space. The compartment was small, allowing only one person to exit at a time, and the weight of the produce boxes, estimated at 30 to 40 pounds each, prevented escape.
The driver, Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, a 50-year-old Honduran national, appeared nervous during the inspection, which prompted a K-9 unit to alert authorities to the rear doors of the trailer. Pinot-Duarte has been charged with smuggling migrants and, if convicted, could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
This case is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which filed 235 new immigration and border security-related cases from November 21 to 27, 2025. These cases include charges related to human smuggling, unauthorized entry, and reentry after prior removal. The initiative involves collaboration with federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement agencies.
Background on Human Smuggling Incidents in Texas
Human smuggling remains a significant issue in Texas, with authorities frequently uncovering migrants concealed in various vehicles. In September 2025, 55 individuals were found in a hidden compartment of a tractor-trailer in Zapata County. In June 2025, 25 migrants, including several Cubans, were discovered hidden in a mattress truck in southern Texas under extreme heat conditions and without ventilation. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human smuggling operations in the region.
Related Cases and Legal Actions
In July 2025, a San Antonio man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for transporting 25 illegal aliens inside a tanker trailer. In October 2025, a Mexican national was sentenced for leading a smuggling organization involving the transportation of over 100 people. These cases underscore the severity of human smuggling offenses and the legal consequences for those involved.
Efforts to Combat Human Smuggling
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas continues to prioritize the prosecution of human smuggling cases. The office collaborates with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle smuggling networks and protect vulnerable individuals. The ongoing initiative aims to secure the border, eliminate transnational criminal organizations, and safeguard communities from perpetrators of violent crime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened in Freer, Texas, on November 22, 2025?
Authorities discovered 51 undocumented migrants concealed in a refrigerated tractor-trailer near Freer, Texas. The migrants, including two juveniles, were found in a cramped compartment beneath boxes of produce, with limited means of escape. The trailer was maintained at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and the individuals lacked adequate clothing, leading to complaints of numbness and cramped limbs due to the confined space. The driver, Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, a 50-year-old Honduran national, appeared nervous during the inspection, prompting a K-9 unit to alert authorities to the rear doors of the trailer. Pinot-Duarte has been charged with smuggling migrants and, if convicted, could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
What is the broader context of this case?
This case is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, which filed 235 new immigration and border security-related cases from November 21 to 27, 2025. These cases include charges related to human smuggling, unauthorized entry, and reentry after prior removal. The initiative involves collaboration with federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas represents 43 counties and more than nine million people, covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions work directly with law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels to prosecute suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
What are some other recent human smuggling incidents in Texas?
In September 2025, 55 individuals were found in a hidden compartment of a tractor-trailer in Zapata County. In June 2025, 25 migrants, including several Cubans, were discovered hidden in a mattress truck in southern Texas under extreme heat conditions and without ventilation. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human smuggling operations in the region.
What legal actions have been taken against human smuggling?
In July 2025, a San Antonio man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for transporting 25 illegal aliens inside a tanker trailer. In October 2025, a Mexican national was sentenced for leading a smuggling organization involving the transportation of over 100 people. These cases underscore the severity of human smuggling offenses and the legal consequences for those involved.
What efforts are being made to combat human smuggling?
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas continues to prioritize the prosecution of human smuggling cases. The office collaborates with various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle smuggling networks and protect vulnerable individuals. The ongoing initiative aims to secure the border, eliminate transnational criminal organizations, and safeguard communities from perpetrators of violent crime.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Freer, Texas |
| Date of Discovery | November 22, 2025 |
| Number of Migrants Found | 51 (including two juveniles) |
| Concealment Method | Hidden compartment beneath boxes of produce in a refrigerated tractor-trailer |
| Temperature Inside Trailer | 55 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Driver’s Name | Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte |
| Driver’s Nationality | Honduran |
| Driver’s Age | 50 |
| Charges Against Driver | Smuggling migrants; potential up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted |
| Number of New Immigration and Border Security Cases Filed | 235 (from November 21 to 27, 2025) |
| Federal Law Enforcement Partners Involved | Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |
| State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance | Yes |
| U.S. Attorney’s Office Jurisdiction | 43 counties, over nine million people, covering 44,000 square miles |
| Number of Divisions in U.S. Attorney’s Office | Seven (Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo) |
| Presumption of Innocence | Defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law |
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