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Massive Drug Tunnel Found Under Mexico Border

Elaborate smuggling tunnel to Arizona has electricity, ventilation system

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2009 1:46 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The US Border Patrol has uncovered one of the biggest and most sophisticated smuggling tunnels under the Mexican border it has ever seen, CNN reports. The 83-foot tunnel to Arizona from Nogales, Mexico, was still under construction when it was found after a tipoff from somebody who heard construction sounds. Authorities believe the work was being financed by the Gulf Cartel of drug traffickers.

"It's elegant in the sense that it has electrical work wired into the Mexico side," said a Border Patrol agent. "It even has a hose for ventilation and lightning."  The tunnel—the 63rd found under the border in the Nogales area since October 1995, and the 16th since late last year—is being filled in, and two people caught digging it are in custody.

The US-Mexico border fence is seen near the city of Nogales, Mexico. Dozens of smuggling tunnels under the border have been uncovered in recent years.
The US-Mexico border fence is seen near the city of Nogales, Mexico. Dozens of smuggling tunnels under the border have been uncovered in recent years.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Mexican Navy soldiers inspect a river basin near the US-Mexico border wall while hunting for smuggling tunnels.
Mexican Navy soldiers inspect a river basin near the US-Mexico border wall while hunting for smuggling tunnels.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
Border authorities have found 16 smuggling tunnels under the border in the Nogales region since October last year.
Border authorities have found 16 smuggling tunnels under the border in the Nogales region since October last year.   (AP Photo/ Baja California's State Security Secretary)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Mr.C
Jun 13, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
..it is the entrepreneurs of Mexico supplying the scum of the US. Go find a Hispanic person and give him a hug, I think you could use friend that doesn't live under a confederate flag.
Mr.C
Jun 13, 2009 12:21 PM CDT
I'm guessing that your perspective on this story is not - US finds the tunnel while it is still under construction.
Observer
Jun 12, 2009 12:34 PM CDT
The money is too big to stop it. And by the way, isn't cannabis the top revenue producing crop grown domestically in many states now? Pills and powders are the real problem. They are destroying lives. How many people are addicted to Vicodin and Oxycontin in America and why aren't Doctors under greater scrutiny in their prescribing of these problemmatic drugs.?

'Narcotunnel' one of the most sophisticated ever found
Latin American Herald Tribune

 
Mexico • Mexican border • Border Patrol • drug cartel • tunnel • Nogales • smuggling • drug smuggling • drug tunnel

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