AGENTS SUSPECT DRUG SMUGGLERS USED TUNNEL

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Federal agents discovered a 25-foot dirt tunnel that
was apparently being used to smuggle drugs across the Mexican border, and
seized 840 pounds of cocaine from the Nogales, Ariz., house at one end of
the passage.

The hand-dug tunnel -- fitted with a string of bare electric bulbs -- runs
from the house to the sewer system, which leads in turn to a dry streambed
along the Mexican border called the Nogales Wash.

"The drugs probably were smuggled from Mexico through the wash, into the
sewer pipe, then into the tunnel and into the house," U.S. Customs
spokesman Roger Maier said.

The tunnel, discovered Monday, was connected to the sewer by a hinged metal
hatch. No immediate arrests were made.

"At this point, we have no idea how long it was there, but it appears from
the evidence that it had been utilized for some time," Maier said.

The discovery came as agents were investigating possible smuggling at the
home, about three-quarters of a mile north of the border.