Mexican cartels' smuggling activities into the US were disrupted as the feds shut down a cross-border tunnel used by their agents.

Law enforcement from both the U.S. and Mexico collaborated to discover and close down a tunnel constructed by cartels for smuggling goods into the U.S. via the southern border, featuring lighting and ventilation systems.

On Thursday, Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas, found a man-made tunnel that breaches into the public storm drain.

The tunnel, measuring six feet in height and four feet in width, was concealed by a 36-by-36 inch aperture. It boasted advanced features such as lighting, a ventilation system, and was reinforced with wooden beams throughout.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collaborated with various local and federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI, the El Paso Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

It also worked with the Mexican government to uncover the tunnel.

"The El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good stated that they are proud of their Agents who discovered a smuggling infrastructure used by transnational criminal organizations. Their Agents are relentless in searching and surveying every square mile of the El Paso Sector. With their partners, they are committed to investigating these illicit activities and bringing all perpetrators to justice, those who endanger lives in these hazardous environments and circumvent the legal pathways to entering the United States."

The discovery highlights the significance of cooperation and teamwork among our law enforcement agencies, as stated by FBI Special Agent in Charge John Maroles.

The successful binational operation highlights the strong partnerships between agencies in El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, working together to secure our shared border and safeguard our communities. These collaborations are vital in maintaining the safety and security of our communities and our country as a whole.

Over the years, the Border Patrol has uncovered several tunnels utilized by smugglers to transport humans and drugs across the southern border, including in 2020 when authorities dismantled a tunnel with a fully operational ventilation system in Arizona.

The Trump administration's top priority, border security and a crackdown against illegal immigration, is set to be implemented just days before the new administration takes office.

Despite a significant decline in numbers, the Biden administration faced a multiyear historic border crisis. The administration highlighted several collaborative efforts with the Mexican government to prevent smugglers from crossing the border.

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for the Department of Justice, stated that she supports classifying Mexican cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.