A newly discovered underground passageway near the U.S.-Mexico border signals intensifying cartel activities in the Southwest region.
According to Daily Mail, authorities have uncovered another secret cartel tunnel connecting Mexico to Arizona during a joint investigation between U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Sonora State Police, marking the third such discovery near Yuma in 2024.
The incomplete tunnel was found in San Luis Rio, Colorado, near the border wall using drone technology. Mexican police have identified it as a "narco tunnel" potentially intended for smuggling both drugs and people into the United States. This discovery highlights the ongoing challenges faced by border authorities in combating sophisticated smuggling operations.
The Sinaloa cartel, known for utilizing these underground passages across the Southwest, often repurposes existing sewage and water systems for their operations. Their tunneling activities have become increasingly sophisticated, with some passages being carved beneath homes on the Mexican side of the border. The cartel's influence extends throughout the border region south of Arizona, providing them considerable access to key entry points.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram emphasized the severity of the situation, stating:
At the heart of the synthetic drug crisis are the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels and their associates, who DEA is tracking world-wide. The suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and money launderers all play a role in the web of deliberate and calculated treachery orchestrated by these cartels.
The impact of these operations is reflected in alarming statistics, with drug-related deaths claiming over 107,000 American lives in 2022. Fentanyl alone was responsible for approximately 70% of these fatalities. The DEA's efforts resulted in the seizure of nearly 30,000 pounds of fentanyl powder and 79 million pills in 2023.
The discovery coincides with the expanding presence of Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang, across the United States. By December 2024, the group had established operations in 18 states, including remote areas in Colorado, North Dakota, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming, as well as major cities in Texas, New York, and Chicago.
Former immigration and customs enforcement director John Fabbricatore warned about the gang's rapid expansion. Members of this South American organization have entered the U.S. among the one million Venezuelan migrants admitted under the Biden administration. They can often be identified by distinctive tattoos featuring trains, crowns, clocks, and AK-47s.
The gang's activities have resulted in over 500 arrests in New York City alone in 2024, primarily for robbery and grand larceny. More disturbing is their recruitment of children as young as 11, known as the "Little Devils of 42nd Street," to commit armed robberies. Police reports indicate that gang-related crimes in New York City have doubled since 2023.
The discovery of this latest tunnel has raised significant concerns about the evolving tactics of criminal organizations. The Sinaloa Cartel's near-total control over the border region south of Arizona provides them with strategic access to crucial entry points, facilitating their drug trafficking operations.
The tunnel, found through joint U.S.-Mexico law enforcement efforts, represents part of a larger network of smuggling infrastructure. These underground passages pose a particular challenge for border security forces, as they are often sophisticated in design and difficult to detect without advanced technology.
Law enforcement agencies continue to adapt their strategies to combat these evolving threats. The use of drone technology in this discovery demonstrates the implementation of more advanced detection methods, though the challenge of preventing new tunnel construction remains significant.
The incomplete tunnel discovered in San Luis Rio, Colorado represents the continuing evolution of cartel operations along the U.S.-Mexico border. Found during a joint operation between U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Sonora State Police, this third tunnel discovery near Yuma in 2024 demonstrates the persistent nature of cross-border criminal activities. As law enforcement agencies work to combat these sophisticated smuggling operations, the expansion of groups like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel presents an ongoing challenge to border security efforts.
