Mexican authorities to seal 300-metre secret tunnel found on border with US

The Mexican authorities will seal off a secret tunnel discovered on the US-Mexico border on January 10.

Mexican officials revealed that the tunnel, concealed within a storm sewer system between the two cities, spans approximately 1,000 feet (over 300 metres), Caliber.Az reports, referencing American news sources.

The tunnel, which connects the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez to El Paso, Texas, is equipped with lighting and ventilation, as well as reinforcements to prevent collapse, suggesting a significant and well-organized operation.

General Jose Lemus, commander of Ciudad Juarez's military garrison, confirmed the discovery and stated that Mexican authorities are moving to seal the tunnel. Its dimensions—about 6 feet in height and 4 feet in width—allow easy passage for both people and contraband. He indicated that the tunnel’s construction likely took between one to two years, although its full operational history remains under investigation.

The Mexican Attorney General’s Office is leading the probe into the tunnel’s origins, including potential complicity by local authorities, as the tunnel's presence went unnoticed for an extended period. Lemus added that human traffickers had discussed the tunnel's location on platforms like TikTok, possibly pointing to the involvement of organized smuggling networks.

Victor Manjarrez, a former Border Patrol sector chief with over two decades of experience, confirmed the tunnel’s sophisticated design, noting that its connection through the storm sewer system is a known strategy used by smugglers. “This is definitely not a mom-and-pop operation,” Manjarrez commented. “It’s gone way beyond that.”

The tunnel's discovery comes amid heightened border security, coinciding with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Trump, who has promised aggressive deportation efforts, is expected to intensify enforcement on both sides of the border. As authorities reinforce security, a separate incident in Ciudad Juarez saw a fire in a temporary migrant camp, leading to the evacuation of 56 individuals.

The National Institute of Migration has not yet provided a statement on the fire or its connection to the border security measures.

By Khagan Isayev