By Luis De Jesus
May 3, 2024, 9:16 PM EDT
Agents from the Attorney General’s Office made a significant discovery in the border region of San Luis Río Colorado, northwest of Mexico, finding a clandestine drug tunnel dug by hand just below the border wall that separates Sonora, Mexico, from Arizona, in United States.
According to the official report, the detection of this tunnel was carried out on May 1 during prevention and surveillance tours carried out by elements of the State Public Security Police in coordination with immigration officers from the US Border Patrol, the agency published. Efe news.
This underground passage, less than five meters long, was large enough to facilitate the illegal crossing of drugs and people through the steel border wall. The discovery occurred in a context where various factions of the Sinaloa cartel compete for control of the area for the transfer of drugs, weapons, money and undocumented migrants.
Although so far no arrests have been made or drugs seized in connection with this case, authorities found various excavation tools near the tunnel, including shovels and bars, which were covered with wooden leaves and weeds typical of the region. . After the experts processed the scene, the agents proceeded to disable the tunnel by covering it with earth using a backhoe.
The Federal Public Ministry began a corresponding Investigation File and is carrying out the necessary legal procedures to clarify the facts and prosecute those responsible for this illegal activity.
This discovery, according to the news agency, highlights the continuing fight against drug trafficking and irregular immigration on the border between Mexico and the United States. Since 1990, more than 230 clandestine drug tunnels have been found in the Sonora region, most of them in the Nogales area that borders Arizona.
Among the most notable findings is the narcotunnel discovered in January 2020 between Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego (United States), which had sophisticated facilities such as lighting, air conditioning, high-voltage electricity supply, an elevator and a transportation system. rails to transport drugs below the International line.
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