NM: Tailgating Van Carries Illegal Immigrants
POSTED: 3:49 pm MST February 19, 2008
UPDATED: 4:13 pm MST February 19, 2008

A routine traffic stop netted a big surprise: a van packed with illegal immigrants headed for Pennsylvania.

According to police officials, Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputies spotted a van near Unser and Coors boulevards around 10 a.m. Tuesday that was a potential hazard.

"They noticed a conversion van that was following too closely to the vehicle in front, less than a vehicle length in total distance," said Lt. David Knowles of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office.

Knowles said the deputies pulled the van over to give the driver a ticket, but when they quizzed him, they got a surprise.

"There was a subsequent conversation that took place in which they admitted to fifteen people being in the van, and that they were traveling from Mexico to Pennsylvania," said Knowles.

Police said after a quick head count, deputies found that there were at total of 21 people packed into the conversion van.

Knowles said no paramedics or rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene as everyone seemed to be in satisfactory condition.

All 21 were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing through the courts.
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