Cartels are exploiting a vast network of underground storm drain tunnels in El Paso, Texas, to smuggle migrants from Mexico into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection's elite Confined Space Entry Team provided an exclusive look into these dangerous passageways, which stretch for miles beneath the city.
Navigating Underground Dangers
The storm drain system features 32 entry points along the Rio Grande and hundreds of exit points throughout El Paso, making patrols a challenging "whack-a-mole" operation for Border Patrol agents. Smugglers use these routes to evade detection, though CBP employs technology to monitor entry points and intercept groups. A CBP team member described the perilous conditions, noting the intense heat and low oxygen levels within the tunnels. "You can’t call for backup; you can’t call for help. It’s just you and your team versus everybody else," the agent stated, highlighting the physical and mental toll of operating in such an environment.
Despite the risks, the number of migrants being smuggled through these tunnels has significantly decreased compared to previous periods. Agents now typically encounter groups of two or three individuals, a stark contrast to earlier reports of groups numbering 40 to 60. However, smugglers have responded by dramatically increasing their fees, charging migrants between $20,000 and $30,000 per person for passage through the underground routes.
Smugglers Adapt Tactics
To facilitate these operations, cartels are increasingly using social media to recruit and train guides familiar with the hazardous tunnels. The underground environment presents significant dangers, including poor air quality and extreme temperatures, with El Paso summer daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. CBP's specialized team undergoes rigorous training to prepare for these missions, focusing on navigating the tunnels and monitoring oxygen levels.
These revelations come as the Department of Homeland Security announced that June marked 14 consecutive months of historically low border releases. According to DHS, daily apprehensions at the border have decreased by 94 percent compared to figures from the Biden administration. The agency also reported record staffing levels in the spring, reaching 21,471 agents, the highest number in its 102-year history.