NOGALES, Ariz - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry in Nogales discovered a partially-constructed tunnel under the traffic lanes leading into Mexico yesterday.

At a little after 10:30 yesterday morning, CBP officers processing vehicles and passengers coming into the United States noticed what appeared to be a sinkhole forming in one of the lanes leading out of the U.S. and into Mexico. The officers used mirrors and flashlights to look into the hole and discovered what appeared to be a man-made tunnel. The port immediately cordoned off the area and contacted Border Patrol, whose agency has expertise in tunnels, to assist. Border Patrol agents were able to enter the hole and confirmed that the hole did, in fact, lead to a partially-constructed tunnel.

The traffic lane has been cordoned off and restricted to all traffic, and the adjacent lanes are being monitored to see if they will be affected.

Travelers going into Mexico through the Dennis DeConcini port of entry are advised that there is no danger to the public, but they may expect delays during heavy travel periods since the number of lanes available for traffic going into Mexico has been reduced. The port is also working on alternate plans for traffic, including buses, in the event that other lanes are affected.

Port officials are meeting with other agency officials to determine the extent of the tunnel and possible impact on port processing and the traveling public.

The Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.