Tunnel Smugglers and Cartel Tactics | San Antonio News

A Mexican national, Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 29, has pleaded guilty in El Paso for his role in a high-stakes smuggling operation involving a secret tunnel connected to city storm drains—used to ferry migrants into the U.S. for up to $30,000 per person. Authorities suspect the CJNG cartel built the tunnel, and two co-defendants have already admitted guilt: one for trafficking firearms to support the cartel, another for laundering money for weapons purchases. As enforcement tightens above ground, smugglers are turning to hidden infrastructure, creating dangerous public safety hazards. Davalos-Lopez’s sentencing is pending, but the investigation continues. Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott used a GOP convention to tout state-led border security efforts—including busing migrants to sanctuary cities—and blamed federal inaction, positioning border control as a key issue ahead of the next election.

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