El Paso, Texas – Luis Carlos Davalos-López, a 29-year-old Mexican national, has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States through a sophisticated underground tunnel system linking Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, to El Paso, Texas. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the plea, noting that Davalos-López could face up to 10 years in federal prison. The sentencing date has not yet been set and will be determined by a federal judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
Federal Investigation Uncovers Sophisticated Smuggling Operation
The federal investigation revealed that Davalos-López was an active participant in an operation that utilized the tunnel to facilitate the illegal entry of individuals into U.S. territory without inspection. Authorities discovered the tunnel in January 2025 and subsequently linked Davalos-López to the scheme through intercepted telephone calls.
According to court documents, the intercepted communications provided crucial details regarding the number of migrants using the tunnel and the fees charged for their passage. Some conversations indicated payments as high as $30,000 per person for entry into the United States.
Tunnel Connected Ciudad Juarez to El Paso Drainage System
The tunnel itself was a complex structure, connecting Ciudad Juarez with El Paso’s storm drain system. U.S. authorities disclosed that the tunnel extended approximately 1,000 feet on the Mexican side, enabling the transfer of migrants to various exit points within the Texan city.
The investigation also uncovered links between the smuggling operation and other illicit activities, including drug and weapons trafficking. The Department of Justice explicitly stated that the tunnel was constructed by the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), an organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
Extradition from Mexico and Federal Prosecution
Davalos-López and his co-defendants were formally indicted in April 2025. Following this, the Mexican government extradited Davalos-López to the United States under its National Security Law to face federal prosecution in Texas.
The case involves other key figures, including María Del Rosario Navarro-Sánchez, 40, who pleaded guilty on August 27 to conspiring to provide material support to the CJNG. Her involvement included trafficking firearms from the United States into Mexico. Another defendant, Gustavo Castro-Medina, 29, pleaded guilty to acting as an intermediary in a $3,000 international transfer intended for the illegal purchase and transport of firearms.
Multi-Agency Investigation Effort
The extensive investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple federal agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso led the probe, with additional support from the U.S. Border Patrol.
Mexican authorities, including the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), also played a crucial role, alongside specialized U.S. units focusing on human, weapons, and narcotics trafficking. The successful prosecution underscores the ongoing commitment of both nations to combat transnational criminal organizations operating along the border.
The case highlights the sophisticated methods employed by criminal organizations to bypass border security and the concerted efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these networks. The sentencing of Davalos-López is expected to send a strong message to those involved in similar illicit activities.
Source: https://sociedad-noticias.com/2026/09/04/mexicano-se-declara-culpable-por-usar-tunel-entre-ciudad-juarez-y-el-paso-para-traficar-migrantes/
