Assuming – for argument’s sake – law enforcement finds all of these tunnels eventually – each completed tunnel which is found presumably is a conduit for some amount of contraband; further, tunnels are only one capital-intensive way of moving profitable loads of banned goods (submersible and small submarines being another example). How does it make economic sense to build a tunnel which will, eventually and inevitably be discovered, wasting the capital investment? Because the illegality of the drugs creates artificially high prices, generating sufficient revenues to build tunnels, bribe government officials, and buy submarines.
A methodical terrorist who could make a deal with a drug smuggler could easily piggy-back a load of weapons, explosives or personnel. NB: the September 11th attacks were conducted by 19 people who, as far as we know, acquired whatever weapons they needed within the United States. If we want to shut down the narco gangsters, and plug these holes in our border security, we’re going to have to take the profit out of it. That means, we think, decriminalizing, regulating, and taxing illegal drugs. In the meantime, courtesy of the BBC, the latest border tunnel:
US officials say they have uncovered a major drug-smuggling tunnel under the border with Mexico and seized an estimated 14 tons of marijuana. Customs officials said the tunnel linked warehouses in Tijuana, Mexico, and Otay Mesa, in California. Pictures of the tunnel showed wooden supports and electric cables indicative of lighting and ventilation systems. Dozens of such tunnels have been found in recent years as US police have cracked down on overland smuggling. More than 30 have been discovered this year, Mexican authorities said, according to AFP news agency. The tunnels are also used to smuggle illegal migrants into the US. Nine or 10 tons of marijuana was found on the US side of the tunnel while Mexican police seized five tons on their end, said Derek Benner, a special agent with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The tunnel was estimated at 400 yards (365m) in length but it was not clear how deep or wide it was. Other tunnels found by US police have included tracks, lights and ventilation systems.
US police find ‘major drug tunnel’ under Mexico border (via BBC)
See also Wikipedia’s excellent entry “Smuggling Tunnel,” from which the following is excerpted:
On January 25, 2006, the largest smuggling tunnel to date was found on the US-Mexico border by a joint U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Border Patrol task force. The 2400-foot-long (720m) tunnel runs from a warehouse near the Tijuana airport to a warehouse in San Diego. When discovered, it was devoid of people, but it did contain 2 tons of marijuana. It was 5 feet high and up to 90 feet deep. The floor was made of cement and the walls were exposed clay, with lights lining one side, a ventilation system to keep fresh air circulating, and a water drainage system to remove infiltrating ground water. Authorities said it was unclear how long the tunnel had been in operation. On January 30, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a Mexican citizen, who was linked to the tunnel via the U.S. warehouse, operated by V&F Distributors LLC. On the Friday before, January 27, immigration authorities reportedly received information that the Mexican cartel behind the operation was threatening the lives of any agents involved with the construction or occupation of the tunnel. US Customs and Immigration, however, pledged to protect them as best they can. Authorities believe Tijuana’s Arellano-Felix drug syndicate, or some other well-known drug cartel, was behind the building and operation of the tunnel.[2] On November 26, 2010, a 2,600 foot (800m) tunnel was discovered linking Tijuana to Otay Mesa, California.[3] An analysis of U.S.-Mexican smuggling tunnels, the U.S.-Canadian smuggling tunnel and the smuggling tunnels in the Rafah, Gaza Strip was completed by Lichtenwald and Perri as part of a transnational analysis of smuggling tunnels.[4] Lichtenwald and Perri outlined sources and methods for evaluating which tunnels are used by different populations in various parts of the world to smuggling contraband that does not threaten a nation’s security as opposed to tunnels that smuggle contraband that do threaten a nation’s security. Hybrid tunnels, tunnels that smuggle contraband that threaten a nation’s security as well as those that do not, are detailed.
Citations omitted.