A van was stopped on the motorway with four toddlers, two babies and eight adults packed inside along with a mattress.
Shocked police officers warned the "consequences could have been horrific" as they unloaded all 14 people.
The Central Motorway Police Group patrol stopped the vehicle at Stafford Services on the northbound carriageway shortly before 8.40pm on Tuesday.
The van had been stopped as officers discovered it was untaxed and had no MOT, Stoke Live reports.
Tweeting about the incident, a CMPG spokesman said the driver can now expect a day in court.
He added: "We have stopped this van, on the M6 in Staffordshire area, it was showing as untaxed & no MOT.
"When we opened it, we couldn't believe our eyes. Fourteen people inside it, including babies and children, the consequences could have been horrific...
"The driver can expect a day in court."
A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Officers from Central Motorway Police Group stopped and seized a vehicle on Stafford services just before 8pm last night following concerns about its general condition.
"A driver, two passengers and a further 11 passengers were found in the back of the vehicle.
"The driver was reported for a number of offences including no insurance, using a vehicle in dangerous condition, no test certificate and no vehicle excise licence. The vehicle was also seized for no insurance.
"Arrangements were made for family members to collect those in the back of the vehicle and appropriate referrals are in hand."
