Mexico Plans to Close Smuggling Tunnel to US Identified by TikTok
Mexican authorities intend to shut down a smuggling tunnel that links Mexico to Texas, following its discovery, which was publicized on TikTok. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Footage of an underground passage, suspected of being used for human trafficking, has surfaced on social media platforms.
On Saturday, an army official announced that Mexico plans to seal a smuggling tunnel linking the border town of Ciudad Juarez to El Paso, Texas. This 1,000-foot underground passage, believed to facilitate human trafficking and illegal trade, was brought to light last week after videos about it circulated on the Chinese platform TikTok.
The tunnel was uncovered during a collaborative operation involving US and Mexican security agencies, as stated by Jose Lemus Cisneros, the commander of Ciudad Juarez’s military garrison, which is currently overseeing the area.
The entrance to the tunnel was discovered near Mexico’s Rio Bravo, across from the Mexicanidad plaza in Ciudad Juarez, while its exit was located on US soil near drainage gates in El Paso.
Hidden within a natural sewer system, the tunnel's detection was initially challenging. It is supported by wooden beams and features electricity and a ventilation system. Cisneros mentioned that authorities estimate the tunnel's construction could have taken one to two years. An investigation into the individuals behind this smuggling route has been initiated by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office.
Cisneros noted that details about the tunnel's existence and location were openly discussed by human traffickers in TikTok videos, prompting authorities to take action.
“Of course, the authorities are taking into account everything that is on social media. It was part of the clues to carry out the search,” he remarked during a media tour of the tunnel.
He also emphasized that operations have been intensified on both sides of the border to uncover additional tunnels.
“Coordination with the North American authorities is ongoing. The information they have, the coordination has been fundamental in finding these types of tunnels,” he added.
US Border Patrol spokesperson Claudio Herrera indicated that efforts to seal off the tunnel from the US side have already commenced, with concrete being used for closure.
Smuggling tunnels have been an ongoing challenge along the US-Mexico border. In 2022, border authorities uncovered another tunnel in California, measuring 1,774 feet and featuring reinforced walls and a rail system.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Saturday, an army official announced that Mexico plans to seal a smuggling tunnel linking the border town of Ciudad Juarez to El Paso, Texas. This 1,000-foot underground passage, believed to facilitate human trafficking and illegal trade, was brought to light last week after videos about it circulated on the Chinese platform TikTok.
The tunnel was uncovered during a collaborative operation involving US and Mexican security agencies, as stated by Jose Lemus Cisneros, the commander of Ciudad Juarez’s military garrison, which is currently overseeing the area.
The entrance to the tunnel was discovered near Mexico’s Rio Bravo, across from the Mexicanidad plaza in Ciudad Juarez, while its exit was located on US soil near drainage gates in El Paso.
Hidden within a natural sewer system, the tunnel's detection was initially challenging. It is supported by wooden beams and features electricity and a ventilation system. Cisneros mentioned that authorities estimate the tunnel's construction could have taken one to two years. An investigation into the individuals behind this smuggling route has been initiated by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office.
Cisneros noted that details about the tunnel's existence and location were openly discussed by human traffickers in TikTok videos, prompting authorities to take action.
“Of course, the authorities are taking into account everything that is on social media. It was part of the clues to carry out the search,” he remarked during a media tour of the tunnel.
He also emphasized that operations have been intensified on both sides of the border to uncover additional tunnels.
“Coordination with the North American authorities is ongoing. The information they have, the coordination has been fundamental in finding these types of tunnels,” he added.
US Border Patrol spokesperson Claudio Herrera indicated that efforts to seal off the tunnel from the US side have already commenced, with concrete being used for closure.
Smuggling tunnels have been an ongoing challenge along the US-Mexico border. In 2022, border authorities uncovered another tunnel in California, measuring 1,774 feet and featuring reinforced walls and a rail system.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
