Nogales, Sonora — Federal authorities have disabled a 260-foot long underground tunnel leading to the United States. During the operation, one person was arrested in relation to smuggling.
The unfinished tunnel was discovered inside the bedroom of a private home in Nogales, Sonora earlier this week. Evidence collected during ongoing surveillance of the house allowed authorities to obtain a search warrant.
The 79-meter-long underground tunnel that authorities said had “no known exit” has since been dismantled. One person was taken into custody during the April 8 search of the building.
Through fixed and mobile surveillance, authorities said they gathered sufficient evidence for a judge to grant an order to intervene at the residence.
“Upon entering, personnel located a rudimentary excavation 4.5 meters (15 feet) deep and 79 meters (260 feet) long leading towards the border and with no known exit. One person was arrested at the scene, and 21 live rounds of ammunition were seized,” the Secretaría de Marina reported.
According to the investigations, the detainee is linked to surveillance, smuggling and human trafficking activities for a criminal group.
The detainee was informed of his legal rights and, along with the seized items, was placed at the disposal of the corresponding Public Prosecutor.
The Secretary of the Marina says they will continue with the investigations while the property remains sealed and placed under police custody.
The search was the result of intelligence work and the strengthening of security in Sonora. Elements of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa) and National Guard (GN), with support from the State Secretariat of Security, participated in the operation where they disabled a tunnel leading to the United States.
