US federal authorities have unearthed a complex “narco tunnel” connecting El Paso, Texas, to Juarez, Mexico. This tunnel is outfitted with electricity and an operational ventilation system, providing a sophisticated smuggling route for criminals.
According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, the tunnel, which measures approximately 4 feet in width and 6 feet in height, penetrates into El Paso’s Boone Street storm-drain system, situated just a few blocks from the border.
Disturbing footage from within the tunnel reveals its extensive passage beneath the border, supported solely by wooden beams. This route, once used for transporting both drugs and individuals, was uncovered by HSI agents, who are actively pursuing those responsible for its construction and use. The tunnel, believed to have been built in the past year, marks a significant development in transnational crime operations.
“Criminal groups often think they can evade detection by using underground pathways,” said HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge, Jason Stevens. “This discovery strikes a major blow to their operations, showing our ability to dismantle their intricate smuggling systems.”
Border Patrol El Paso Sector Chief Anthony Good commended the agents who discovered the tunnel after removing a metal plate covering the 3-foot-by-3-foot entry hole near the border. The find was part of routine inspections in the area, and Good emphasized the dangers posed by these illicit routes, which put lives at risk.
“We are fully committed, alongside our partners, to investigating and holding accountable those responsible for these activities—particularly those who put lives at risk and undermine legal entry routes into the US,” Good said.
This El Paso discovery follows a series of similar findings, including the third smuggling tunnel uncovered at the Arizona-Mexico border. US and Mexican authorities are working together to dismantle these covert passageways, with one tunnel in Arizona discovered while still under construction in San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico. In 2020, the largest known drug tunnel, stretching three-quarters of a mile from Tijuana, Mexico, to San Diego, California, was found. It was reportedly equipped with a rail system and elevator.
12 January 2025
