CALEXICO, Calif. – An El Centro Sector Border Patrol agent assigned to the Calexico Border Patrol Station discovered a cross border tunnel during a routine patrol along the border yesterday morning.
Once the hole was exposed, the agent saw lumber and electrical wiring inside, indicating the possible presence of a cross border tunnel.
The discovery occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m., while a Border Patrol agent was conducting routine patrol duties along the International Border with Mexico approximately 2 miles east of the Calexico, California East Port of Entry. The agent noticed a depression in the soil along the banks of the All-American Canal. As the agent approached the anomaly in the soil on foot, it began to give way exposing a hole 18 inches in diameter.
Once the hole was exposed, the agent saw lumber and electrical wiring inside, indicating the possible presence of a cross border tunnel. The agent quickly secured the scene for further investigation.
“This is exactly what our Border Patrol agents are on patrol for,” said El Centro Sector Chief Rodney Scott. “They are on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary along our vast Southwest border. This agent saw something that didn’t look quite right and it turned out to be a tunnel.”
The tunnel is about three feet by three feet wide and approximately 142 feet in length. The tunnel’s point of origin began about 60 feet south of the international border in Mexico, while the remainder of the tunnel extended into the United States.
The tunnel is about three feet by three feet wide and approximately 142 feet in length.
The U.S. Border Patrol along with other law enforcement authorities, discovered another cross border tunnel in Calexico, California 3 weeks ago.
Cross border tunnels pose a significant risk to the safety and security of the United States. Anything or anyone could potentially cross into the U.S. via a tunnel. This is the third tunnel discovered in the El Centro Sector area since April 2015.
The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.