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Border regions like Laredo, which serve as critical gateways for legal trade and transit, are exploited by cartels to blend illicit activities with the legitimate flow of commerce. These underground passages allow traffickers to bypass security measures, transporting drugs, people, and potentially even infants, as evidenced by reports of illegal trafficking out of Huarez, Mexico. Despite extensive land-based crackdowns—including the deployment of thousands of troops and enhanced border walls—these tunnels exemplify the cartels' resilience and adaptability.