Mexican authorities have discovered a new tunnel believed to be used by cartel members to smuggle migrants into El Paso, Texas.
The discoveries occurred this week in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua and El Paso, with authorities on both sides of the border working together to uncover underground structures and disrupt human smuggling operations in the region.
The tunnel was discovered near Gate 28 of the border fence, where authorities discovered a tunnel connected to the city's drainage network.
On the Mexican side of the border, the Mexican military issued a prepared statement claiming it had received information that the tunnels were being used to smuggle people into Texas. Mexican authorities searched Avenida Siglo, where they discovered the entrance to the tunnel.
Mexican police discover the entrance to a tunnel leading to El Paso. (Credit SSPC-Mexico)
Inside the tunnel, authorities found clothing, food wrappers and other items dropped by individuals who had crossed into Texas.
The tunnel's discovery comes at a time when Ciudad Juarez continues to be one of the migrant hotspots used by smugglers to transport both migrants and asylum seekers to Texas.
In recent weeks, Mexican authorities have seen an increase in caravans of human smugglers and asylum seekers seeking to enter the United States ahead of the Trump administration's inauguration on January 20.
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist at Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart, Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and Breitbart's senior management team. you can follow him Twitter And even more facebook. He can be contacted at: iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded the Breitbart Texas Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and Breitbart's senior management team. follow him Twitter and facebook. He can be contacted at: bdarby@breitbart.com.
