C.B.P. News Release

Agents Uncover First Tunnel of Fiscal Year 2010 in Tucson Area

(Thursday, October 22, 2009)

Tucson, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Nogales Station discovered an intricate smuggling tunnel passing under the international border yesterday, the first such tunnel found in recent months.

The tunnel was discovered approximately 150 yards east of the DeConcini port of entry. On the Mexican side of the border it is supported with shoring and is three feet wide by three feet tall. As the tunnel passes under the border fence, into the United States, shoring stops and the opening reduces to a hole 18 inches wide by 18 inches tall. The total length of the tunnel is approximately 30 feet. The tunnel exit on the U.S. side was concealed with plywood and weeds.

“It has been nearly four months since the discovery of an intricate tunnel,â€