16 Illegal Aliens Discovered In Van In Annandale

POSTED: 9:34 pm EDT September 7, 2007
UPDATED: 10:45 pm EDT September 7, 2007
ANNANDALE, Va. -- Police officers uncovered an alleged human smuggling case in the Annandale area Thursday.

Around 11:30 p.m., officers stopped to investigate a suspicious van parked in the 5100 block of Ravensworth Road. They said they discovered 16 people inside the van.

Further investigation revealed that 14 of the passengers, including five children, were illegal aliens being transported by two men.

"Because of their suspicions, (the officers) determined there were 16 people in van, two people arrested on weapons charges," Officer Bud Walker of the Fairfax County police said.

The two men, Nalciso Rodriguez, 38, of Cypres, Tenn., and Damainan Vasquez, 41, of Houston, were each charged with one count of concealed weapon violations and transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

The case and the 14 illegal aliens were turned over to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"In the investigation, we determined they were in this country illegally, and we turned them over to ICE," Walker said. "We normally don't inquire into people's immigration status, but it was necessary in this case."

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