AZ: Border Patrol building tunnel barrier
Border Patrol building tunnel barrier
Posted: Feb 16, 2009 04:11 PM PST
Border agents are working to stop smugglers in their tracks. It's called the Remediation Project.
The goal is to stop smugglers before they can get drugs and illegal migrants across the border and into the United States. Within the past four months, nine tunnels have been discovered. Last fiscal year, 14 tunnels were found.
Now the US Border Patrol is stepping up their efforts in what's being called the largest preventative counter-tunneling measure in Nogales history.
In a 4 day effort, agents filled 270 feet of concrete and steel, 12 feet deep and three feet wide.
"It's going to be shocking, to be digging and all of a sudden come to a stop," says agent Mike Scioli with the US Border Patrol, "we're seeing anything from something you can walk through on your hands and knees, to more elaborate things with lighting systems."
The focus is the ground below the DeConcini Port of Entry, where smugglers are tapping into drainage tunnels.
Agent Scioli says, "What the smugglers do, they adapt by digging their own tunnels, burrow into the drainage tunnels. Using them to egress further into the US."
Besides drug and human smuggling, agent Scioli fears the threat of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. Not to mention, agents say these underground tunnels can compromise life above ground.
"Kids play in the street, and what it does, is it can create a sink hole," says Scioli.
Southern Arizona residents have their own opinions of the US Border Patrol's Remediation Project. Some even have advice for would-be smugglers.
"I'm for it, anything to close the border. Legal aliens, if they have a green card in my opinion it is okay with me, anything to keep illegal immigrants out is fine with me," says Paul Stork.
"Don't do it, you're going to get caught, they'll catch you, it's dangerous."
www.kvoa.com
