EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A federal official on Tuesday told a U.S. Senate committee the investigation into a cross-border tunnel found in El Paso on Jan. 9 has led to 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’ statement came in response to questioning about transnational criminal organizations activity by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and chair of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
Stevens did not volunteer details on the indictment or the ongoing investigation.
Border Report reached out to his office in West Texas and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for further information on the indictments and is awaiting a response.
Stevens went on to describe for the Senate panel what the tunnel looked like and what purpose it served.
“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, reportedly acting on information from federal partners including HSI, located the tunnel connected to a storm drain south of the border wall in South-Central El Paso. The structure had lighting, a ventilation system, and went under the Rio Grande supported by braced wood beams.
Neither federal agency has made any arrests public regarding the case.
Grassley wondered if the use of such structures is skewing perceptions on drug seizures.
“Members of this committee have cited misleading data regarding who’s bringing fentanyl into our country,” he said.
