Federal agents in El Paso, Texas, have discovered a secret tunnel stretching from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, into the United States, exposing yet another tactic used by criminal organizations to undermine border security. The tunnel’s sophisticated design suggests it was intended for large-scale smuggling operations, possibly involving human trafficking.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol agents uncovered the tunnel on January 9. Hidden beneath a metal plate, the tunnel measures about six feet tall and four feet wide. It was carefully built with wooden beams for support, equipped with electrical wiring for lighting and included a ventilation system, making it a fully operational smuggling route into the Boone Street storm drain in South-Central El Paso.

🚨🔍 Just uncovered: a secret tunnel in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, leading to El Paso, Texas! Looks like Trump's wall might need an underground extension 🤣🔨

#BorderSecurity #TunnelVision pic.twitter.com/WIJpRLXoMw

— The Viral Videos (@The_viralvideo_) January 12, 2025

Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge at HSI El Paso, emphasized the threat posed by this discovery. “This tunnel demonstrates how far criminal organizations will go to traffic people and contraband across our border, but it also shows how effective our coordinated efforts are in stopping them,” Stevens stated.

Authorities suspect the tunnel was used to smuggle Venezuelan women into the United States, highlighting the growing issue of human trafficking along the southern border. Reporter Ali Bradley noted that tunnels like this are more common in California, making this rare El Paso discovery even more alarming.

Tunnel for funneling drugs and illegals uncovered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

The tunnel apparently leads to El Paso, Texas

Looks like Trump's wall might need to start underground pic.twitter.com/o8sqx0z1s7

— Avinash K S🇮🇳 (@AvinashKS14) January 12, 2025

Border Patrol spokesman Claudio Herrera called the discovery “historic” for the El Paso sector, praising the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies. Herrera stressed that teamwork was critical in exposing and disrupting this complex smuggling operation.

Mexican Cops Find Migrant-Smuggling Tunnel from Mexico to El Pasohttps://t.co/9jD8RzNJqX

— DJ (@DJ87112331) January 12, 2025

Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good credited the discovery to the hard work and vigilance of agents on the ground. “Our agents remain committed to identifying and dismantling these dangerous smuggling routes,” Good said.