Ciudad Juarez (Mexico).- Agents of the National Guard of Mexico On Wednesday they carried out an operation to search for clandestine tunnels under the Rio Grande (Rio Grande in the USA), a natural border between the two countries, following the recent discovery of a structure used for drug and human trafficking.
The security deployment is aimed at detecting possible underground passages used for the illegal crossing of people and goods between Mexico and the United States, according to security sources.
The excavations were carried out on a stretch of the Rio Grande, from the bridge to the Heroes of Health on Villarreal Torres Avenue to Gate 36, on the Mexican side.
Federal agents used tools to dig several holes, searching for homemade doors to access a tunnel, like the one discovered a month ago in Ciudad Juarez, leading to El Paso, Texas, a strategic corridor on Mexico's northern border.
The clandestine tunnel supposedly built for trafficking people, drugs and illicit goods was discovered on January 10 under the bed of the Rio Bravo, and according to authorities it was allegedly operated by the criminal group 'La Línea', dedicated to migrant trafficking.
The discovery of this structure, hidden within a natural sewage system, has intensified search operations to prevent further underground construction.
The tunnel was discovered in a warehouse near the Rancho Anapra neighborhood, an area historically used by criminal groups for drug trafficking due to its proximity to the border.
In previous operations, tunnels have been found equipped with ventilation systems, lighting and improvised rails to facilitate the transport of illegal goods.
Wednesday's deployment responds to recent reports of possible clandestine excavations in the area, historically used by criminal groups for illicit activities.
Mexican authorities have stepped up surveillance along the border over the past month as part of efforts to curb illegal trafficking and ensure security in the region.
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So far, no tunnels have been found in the area inspected, but search efforts will continue in the coming days, according to National Guard agents.
Border security experts have said criminal groups have become more sophisticated in their digging methods, using specialized machinery and advanced engineering knowledge to build hard-to-detect passageways, leading to the deployment of new tracking and sensor technologies along the border.
The United States and Mexico maintain close cooperation on border security, with joint operations and the exchange of information to combat human and drug trafficking networks operating on both sides of the Rio Grande.
