US federal agents discovered an elaborate “drug tunnel” between El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico on Thursday.
The tunnel was approximately 4 feet wide and 6 feet high, reinforced with wooden beams, and equipped with electrical and ventilation systems.
“Someone should have noticed that.”
Artificial tunnel map shared by border notification It showed it started next to a six-lane highway in Juarez and continued under an levee and the Rio Grande. Entrance, 3 feet x 3 feet The hole was hidden by a metal plate.
Officials said the tunnel, discovered by the Border Patrol's Confined Space Entrance Team, appeared to have been built within the past year and was used to smuggle drugs and people into the United States.
“Transnational criminal organizations mistakenly believe they can evade detection by moving people and contraband underground,” said Homeland Security Investigations El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason Stevens.
“This recent discovery highlights our ability to disrupt their sophisticated smuggling networks and is a significant blow to their operations,” he said.
Border Patrol El Paso District Patrol Chief Anthony Good said the discovery was the result of routine searches near the border.
However, former Border Patrol Tucson District Patrol Chief Victor Manjarrez questioned why the tunnel was built in such a highly visible location without being discovered earlier. He pointed out that the structure could not have been built with “picks and shovels” and must have been built with construction equipment.
“It's hard to believe that someone on the Mexican side didn't know about the tunnels. There are too many logistical things that have to be done. One of them is that we have to bring in equipment. We started with picks and shovels. Maybe, vertical drilling is possible, but ultimately you have to bring in the equipment,” Manjarez told Border Report. “You're bringing in a huge amount of dirt, stone, things of that nature. You've got to put it somewhere.”
“I'm sure the cartel didn't connect the meter to pay the monthly bill through the meter, so they connected the meter somewhere else. Someone must have noticed that. They say they didn't notice. I mean, they didn't realize that.''I can't believe it because they weren't aware of it at this point.''
Manjares speculated that the tunnel was likely used to smuggle drugs and “high-value” foreigners.
“It would make more sense if this method was used to bring in people from China, Southeast Asia, and Europe who can be smuggled into the United States for $25,000 to $30,000. If you go after quantity, you can get someone to talk to.” “This is not for the economic migrants we often see here,” he said. “There are also people who come from areas of special interest. They may not be on the list itself, but they come from terrorist areas. They are more focused on staying undetected. It’s the people.”
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