A federal official revealed to a U.S. Senate committee on Tuesday that the investigation into a cross-border tunnel discovered in El Paso on January 9 has resulted in indictments.
“That tunnel is under investigation. We’ve indicted two individuals on that tunnel so far,” said Jason T. Stevens, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso.
Stevens addressed enquiries regarding the operations of transnational criminal organisations during a discussion with U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Stevens refrained from providing specifics regarding the indictment or the current investigation.
Border Report has contacted his office in West Texas as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for additional details regarding the indictments and is currently awaiting a reply.
Stevens detailed the appearance of the tunnel and its intended function for the Senate panel.
“It was approximately 4-by-6 (feet). Two individuals of my size could walk through that tunnel side-by-side,” said Stevens, referring to his height. “We had significant concerns because it could have individuals transiting through the tunnel unknown and undetected by law enforcement.
“We know there could be contraband brought to the tunnels. And we know that money as well as weapons could be smuggled south through that tunnel.”
A U.S. Border Patrol Confined Spaces Entry Team, acting on intel from federal partners such as HSI, has discovered a tunnel linked to a storm drain situated south of the border wall in South-Central El Paso. The structure featured lighting and a ventilation system, spanning under the Rio Grande with the support of braced wood beams.
No arrests have been announced by either federal agency in connection with the case.
Grassley questioned whether the implementation of these structures is distorting views on drug seizures.
“Members of this committee have cited misleading data regarding who’s bringing fentanyl into our country,” he said.
