Cartels are continuing to exploit a vast network of storm drain tunnels in El Paso to smuggle humans and narcotics, even as border enforcement tightens.
The underground system includes 32 entry points from the Rio Grande and hundreds of exit points across the city, creating a shifting challenge for federal agents.
Confined Space Entry Team members describe patrolling the tunnels as a game of "whack-a-mole," since smugglers can emerge from storm drains at almost any location.
Federal agencies use underground motion detection, entry-point monitoring, and strategically placed interception teams to counter the threat.
The physical environment remains the greatest operational hazard. Thick, low-oxygen air and extreme heat leave agents exhausted before any confrontation occurs.
One team member noted that engagements underground offer no option to call for backup, leaving small teams to face smugglers alone in confined space.
The number of migrants moved through the tunnels has dropped sharply. Groups that once numbered 40 to 60 now typically appear in clusters of two or three.
Smuggling has not ceased. Cartels have raised tunnel-route fees to between $20,000 and $30,000 per person.
Officials report that smugglers are increasingly using social media to recruit and train guides for the hazardous passages.
Summer temperatures in El Paso often exceed 100 degrees, compounding dangers from poor air quality below ground.
The specialized team undergoes training in oxygen monitoring, underground navigation, and confined-space operations to maintain readiness.
Federal data shows June marked 14 consecutive months of zero releases at the border, reflecting a sustained decline in crossings.
Daily apprehensions have fallen 94 percent compared with levels recorded under the prior administration.
Border staffing reached a record 21,471 agents this spring, the highest in the agency's 102-year history.
