Border Patrol agents uncovered a man-made tunnel connecting Ciudad Juárez to El Paso early Thursday, equipped with lighting, ventilation, and wood bracing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.
Agents inspected the area on Jan. 9, uncovering the tunnel around 1:15 a.m. The discovery came after removing a metal plate covering a 36-by-36-inch entry hole. The tunnel, approximately 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, was outfitted with lighting, a ventilation system, and wood bracing.
Border Patrol agents uncovered a man-made tunnel connecting Ciudad Juárez to El Paso on Jan. 9, 2025.
“We are proud of the agents who discovered this smuggling infrastructure used by transnational criminal organizations,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good. “With our partners, we are committed to investigating these illicit activities and bringing all perpetrators to justice.”
Photos of the tunnel circulating on social media show a flashlight beam illuminating its depth, with visible wood bracing and lighting fixtures on the walls.
Agents assigned to the El Paso Station Confined Space Entry Team inspected the tunnel. The location of the tunnel was not made public.
Authorities, including the FBI, El Paso CBP, the El Paso Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Mexican government, and the U.S. Consulate General Ciudad Juárez, are collaborating on the investigation.
“The United States Border Patrol’s discovery of this tunnel … underscores the vital importance of coordination and collaboration among our law enforcement agencies,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John Morales.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity to U.S. Border Patrol at 1-800-635-2509 or WhatsApp at 915-314-8194.
With information from Proceso
