US federal agents have discovered a secret underground tunnel used by smugglers to move drugs and people between El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico. The tunnel, found by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, is well-built with electricity and a ventilation system. It is about 4 feet wide and 6 feet high, making it large enough for people to move through. The tunnel connects to El Paso’s storm-drain system, located only a few blocks from the US-Mexico border.
Shocking footage taken inside the tunnel shows its long, narrow path beneath the border. It is supported by wooden beams, but despite the structure, it is clear that this is a dangerous method of smuggling. Officials believe the tunnel was used to secretly move people and illegal drugs in and out of the United States.
HSI agents are currently investigating the tunnel and have promised to track down those responsible for its creation and use. The tunnel appears to have been built within the last year. Jason Stevens, the HSI Special Agent in Charge, said the discovery is a major blow to criminal organizations that use underground tunnels to avoid detection. “They think they can avoid being caught by using tunnels, but we’re showing them that we have the tools and skills to stop them,” he stated.
Border Patrol officials discovered the tunnel after finding a metal plate covering a small entry hole near the border. The hole, which was about 3 feet by 3 feet in size, led agents to the hidden tunnel. Inside the tunnel, authorities found bags belonging to the smugglers, possibly containing tools or supplies used in the tunnel’s operation.
Anthony Good, the Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief, emphasized the danger of these tunnels, saying that they put lives at risk. He added that the discovery is a result of ongoing efforts by Homeland Security and Border Patrol agents to investigate and stop illegal activities along the border. “We’re working together to make sure those responsible are arrested,” he said.
This discovery follows the finding of a similar tunnel at the Arizona-Mexico border, highlighting the ongoing problem of smuggling operations. In 2020, another large drug tunnel was found between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. That tunnel was so advanced that it even had a rail system and an elevator.
