Earlier this week. the publication Defense One reported that ISIS is also using tunnel bombs as a tactic. detonating at least 45 tunnel bombs in Iraq and Syria over the last 2 years. We face threats from tunnels on American soil as well. Our own Border Patrol and law enforcement on the southern border are up against drug smugglers. human traffickers. and other global criminal organizations using tunnels to sneak drugs. weapons. and people across our border illegally. I serve on the Homeland Security Committee and understand the threat our Border Patrol agents and law enforcement face from transnational criminal organizations using tunnels along our southern border. These criminals flow to the path of least resistance. and as our border security efforts address one threat. they seek other methods to avoid detection and continue their criminal activity. When the U.S. Border Patrol blocked drug smugglers and human traffickers from utilizing existing drainage tunnels. the criminals began digging their own tunnels. We need to stay ahead of these threats. and that is why we must conduct critical research and development so we can detect and destroy these dangerous tunnels. This amendment will authorize joint research and development with Israel on antitunnel capabilities.
Keywords matched
border security Border Patrol