NOGALES, AZ - An active drug smuggling tunnel in southern Arizona has been shut down after being uncovered during a federal investigation.
Officials said the U.S. entrance to the tunnel was concealed beneath the front porch of a Nogales home.
Further inspection reportedly revealed the 70-foot-long tunnel ran south into Mexico, coming up inside a drainage tunnel that parallels the U.S.-Mexico border.
Federal agents obtained a state warrant to search the Nogales residence that housed the tunnel's U.S. entrance and recovered numerous excavation tools, officials said.
"This latest tunnel discovery shows that our ongoing collaborative enforcement efforts to combat drug and contraband smuggling along the Southwest border are having a significant impact," said Kevin Kelly, assistant special agent in charge of HSI in Nogales.
The tunnel, which has some internal support structure, reportedly extends 25 feet into Mexico.
The tunnel's entrances on both sides of the border have been secured by U.S. and Mexican authorities while the investigation continues.
Officials said the U.S. entrance to the tunnel was concealed beneath the front porch of a Nogales home.
Further inspection reportedly revealed the 70-foot-long tunnel ran south into Mexico, coming up inside a drainage tunnel that parallels the U.S.-Mexico border.
Federal agents obtained a state warrant to search the Nogales residence that housed the tunnel's U.S. entrance and recovered numerous excavation tools, officials said.
"This latest tunnel discovery shows that our ongoing collaborative enforcement efforts to combat drug and contraband smuggling along the Southwest border are having a significant impact," said Kevin Kelly, assistant special agent in charge of HSI in Nogales.
The tunnel, which has some internal support structure, reportedly extends 25 feet into Mexico.
The tunnel's entrances on both sides of the border have been secured by U.S. and Mexican authorities while the investigation continues.