Part 9/12:
Detecting these tunnels is an enormous resource challenge for border enforcement agencies. It involves advanced technology like ground-penetrating radar, seismic sensors, and extensive intelligence operations. Despite significant efforts—from physical barriers to aerial surveillance—many tunnels remain undiscovered because cartels deliberately develop multiple, redundant routes to avoid total disruption.
Law enforcement officials acknowledge that the sunk costs and high resource requirements make tunnel detection a game of whack-a-mole; for every tunnel uncovered, others remain operational or are under construction. The reality is that cartels budget for this inevitability, treating these tunnels as long-term investments rather than one-off projects.