Federal agents from the U.S. and Mexico found a 29-foot-long “incomplete cross-border tunnel” beneath the border fence in Nogales on Thursday, U.S. border agents said.
The tunnel was discovered during a regular check of the drainage system that both countries use, said a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.
U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican Federal Police discovered an illicit cross-border tunnel under the streets of Nogales, Ariz. on Oct. 24, 2019. (Customs and Border Protection/Released)
The construction site was discovered underneath the concrete floor of the drainage system. CBP agents said the tunnel was about 3-feet-wide and 5-feet-tall at the entrance, which was covered with dirt, plywood and a cement plug. Electrical wiring and tools were also found inside the site.
U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican Federal Police discovered an illicit cross-border tunnel under the streets of Nogales Thursday. This is the 123rd smuggling tunnel discovered in the Tucson Sector since 1990. @CBP Details: https://t.co/PJnJVXMTLT pic.twitter.com/nnW662a3Dc
— CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) October 25, 2019
Both federal agencies plan to secure the construction site and fill it with concrete. The CBP Tucson Sector has located 123 tunnels within its sector since 1990, the news release said.
U.S. Border Patrol agents and Mexican Federal Police discovered an illicit cross-border tunnel under the streets of Nogales, Ariz. on Oct. 24, 2019. (Customs and Border Protection/Released)
CBP agents said routine patrols with the Mexican Federal Police aim to prevent tunnels from operating as conduits to transport illegal contraband, currency, weapons and people across the border.
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