Tunnel discovered by Sonora State Police and US CBP

SAN LUIS, Mexico (KYMA, KECY) - Semanario Contraseña reports a tunnel was found last month thanks to the use of a drone.

Police, with the Sonora State Security Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, worked together to find the tunnel.

The entrance was on the Mexican side of the border, about five minutes away from the San Luis Port of Entry.

"To the extent that we can stop smuggling events before they even reach our borders, before they cross our borders that is really our goal," said Justin de la Torre, Chief Patrol Agent with Yuma Sector.

Torre says they routinely synchronize their patrols with Mexican law enforcement, and that's how the tunnel was discovered, with the use of a drone.

"It was about a three-foot deep hole. It didn't breach the border, or go underneath the border in any way what its intended purpose was...We don't know it could have been to hide something, or it could have been an attempt to dig under the fence," Torre shared.

Torre says having a strong connection with Mexican law enforcement is crucial to border security.

Mexican residents shared their thoughts on the discovery.

"They're never going to end, in Tijuana here…Security? There is none. There is a lot of police officers but there isn’t a lot of security," said Agustin Aguilar, a San Luis, Mexico resident.

However, some residents who live and work close to the tunnel did not want to speak on the topic.

"Well, I don't even know. I don't be looking into stuff like that," said Ana, another San Luis, Mexico resident.

"No, I just keep to myself. I don't see who comes and goes, I don't know," said Gilberto, another San Luis, Mexico resident.

Border Patrol says they will continue to work with Mexican Police to secure the border.