Mexican authorities have discovered a complex drug smuggling tunnel equipped with electricity and ventilation near the Nogales entry port into Arizona, U.S. and Mexican officials announced on Friday.
According to Fox News Latino, the Mexican army made the discovery on Thursday after receiving an anonymous call in Nogales, Sonora, just south of Arizona. The tunnel was reportedly the length of a football field and was fully equipped with intricate electrical and ventilation systems. Victor Brabble, a U.S. Border Patrol spokesman, told Fox News Latino that the tunnel had not reached into the United States.
The anonymous call made to Mexican authorities reported gunmen standing outside a two-story hour in a neighborhood near the international bridge connecting Mexico and the United States. Fox News Latino reported that once inside, Mexican soldiers discovered a series of fake walls and hidden rooms that led to the underground tunnel. Mexican army officials believe that the 120-yard tunnel was constructed to smuggle drugs across the border.
No arrests appear to have been made, but Fox News Latino reported that the local government has taken the home where the tunnel was discovered.
Intricate secret tunnels between the two North American neighbors have become more common over the years. The Associated Press also reported that criminals have used similar tunnels to smuggle both people and drugs across the border.
According to Fox News Latino, over 70 similar tunnels have been found since October 2008. Most of the tunnels were found along the borders of California and Arizona.