United States federal investigators have uncovered a sophisticated underground tunnel running from Mexico into Southern California and seized more than one tonne of cocaine valued at about 45 million dollars.
Four people have been charged following a months-long investigation that exposed the smuggling route linking Tijuana, Mexico, to a warehouse operating as a retail store near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in California.
Authorities said the tunnel stretched nearly 1,933 feet, ran about 55 feet underground and was equipped with electricity, ventilation, reinforced walls and a rail system. Investigators seized more than 1,029 kilograms of cocaine during the operation. Officials said the discovery dealt a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The tunnel’s exit was hidden beneath the floor of a storage room and could be accessed through a hydraulic lift. Authorities said the passage was designed to move large quantities of narcotics across the border while avoiding security checks.
Officials noted that 99 cross-border tunnels have been discovered in Southern California since 1993, including 28 classified as sophisticated tunnels. The last operational tunnel discovered in the district was found in 2022.
Cross-border tunnels have become one of the most effective methods used by Mexican drug trafficking organisations to move narcotics into the United States while bypassing ports of entry and border security infrastructure. Many feature advanced engineering, including lighting, ventilation and rail systems capable of transporting large quantities of drugs.