april 6, 2016
Mexican officials report cross-border tunnel extends approximately 30 feet into U.S.
TUCSON – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents, acting on information provided by Mexican authorities Monday, investigated a cross-border tunnel that extends approximately 30 feet into the United States east of the Morley Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona.
Cross-border tunnel that came 30 feet into the United States from Mexico
Mexican government officials contacted the Nogales Border Patrol Station to report they had located a tunnel entrance in Nogales, Sonora. Nogales agents, in cooperation with Mexican authorities, investigated the tunnel and determined it to be incomplete and approximately 80 feet long.
Since agents discovered the first illicit tunnel in 1990 in Douglas, Arizona, Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents have investigated more than 115 tunnels (110 in the Nogales area alone) and seized in excess of 17,500 pounds of narcotics. Since October 1, 2015, Tucson Sector agents have located three tunnels.
The tunnels, typically primitive in nature, are generally used by transnational criminal organizations to smuggle narcotics into the United States. Agents put themselves in dangerous, unnerving situations when they investigate tunnels.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Contacting the Border Patrol to report illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.
