Thread: Nogales man checks on house and finds drug tunnel

Nogales man checks on house and finds drug tunnel

Submitted by Christina Stymfal-Thompson, KOLD News 13 Web Producer

Thursday, May 26th, 11:59 am

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Nogales, Ariz. are investigating an incomplete tunnel that was reported to the Nogales Police Department on Wednesday, ICE spokesman Vincent Picard said.

The tunnel's opening is 2 feet by 2 feet, is about 10 feet deep. It also extends about 30 feet into the street. Investigators think that if the tunnel would have been completed, it would have connected with the drainage system which runs below the city and extends into Nogales, Sonora.

According to Picard, the homeowner who found the passageway was renting the home, located near East Street and North Nelson Avenue. The landlord made the discovery after visiting the house because the tenants had failed to pay their rent.

The homeowner informed police, who then told Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol.

“ICE HSI, the Border Patrol and the Nogales Police Department have developed a team approach to thwart drug smuggling organizations that attempt to use tunnels to move their narcotics into the United States,â€

ICE investigating incomplete cross-border tunnel


Written by Border Scope

Friday, 27 May 2011


Nogales, Arizona - Local agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating an incomplete cross-border tunnel reported to the Nogales Police Department Wednesday.

The tunnel, with a 2-foot-by-2-foot opening, is about 10 feet deep and extends about 30 feet into the street. Investigators speculate the tunnel, when completed, would have connected with the drainage system which runs below the city and extends into Nogales, Sonora. The homeowner who found the passageway was renting out the home, located near East Street and North Nelson Avenue. The landlord made the discovery after going to the residence because the tenants had failed to pay their rent. The homeowner notified the Nogales Police Department, which requested ICE HSI and Border Patrol assistance to investigate.

"ICE HSI, the Border Patrol and the Nogales Police Department have developed a team approach to thwart drug smuggling organizations that attempt to use tunnels to move their narcotics into the United States," said Kevin Kelly, assistant special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Nogales. "The diligence of property owners and the citizens of Nogales goes a long way in helping us to target this type of criminal activity."

Agents from the Nogales Border Patrol station have examined both the tunnel and the nearby drainage system to ensure there were no further signs of tunneling or criminal activity. The agents determined that the incomplete tunnel had not yet been used for any smuggling activity.

ICE HSI agents are working with the homeowner to identify the tenants who leased the property. The Nogales Public Works department will remediate the tunnel to ensure it will not present a threat to public safety.

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