Thread: Tunnel being built near border fence is found

Tunnel being built near border fence is found
TIJUANA: Mexican authorities discovered a tunnel yesterday that was under construction near the border fence. It was 31 feet long and 3 feet in diameter, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.

A bucket and a pickax were found inside.

Authorities were looking to see if the tunnel had a U.S. exit, said Lauren Mack, a spokeswoman for ICE. The crude tunnel was being filled yesterday afternoon with a backhoe on the U.S. side.

Over the past two decades, more than 58 tunnels have been found along the border. Most were used for smuggling drugs into the United States. –A.C.

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Associated Press - June 24, 2007 4:33 PM ET

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Police in Tijuana, Mexico, have discovered a narrow tunnel under the border into the US.

Officials say it was used to smuggle drugs and possibly undocumented migrants.

More than 50 tunnels have been discovered under the US-Mexico border. Increased border surveillance following 9-11 is thought to have prompted drug smugglers to go underground to avoid detection.

The latest discovery was made inside an area guarded by Treasury Department officials. Officials are investigating how the 32-foot long tunnel was able to operate so close to where federal officials were on duty.

Authorities found shovels, lanterns, batteries and other tools, but no drugs.

US officials have been filling at least six tunnels along the 2,000-mile border, at a cost of $2.7 million.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



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