Border Patrol shuts down 3,000 ft drug smuggling tunnel connecting US, Mexico

Border Patrol agents have discovered and shut down a nearly 3,000-foot-long tunnel between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California that has been used to smuggle narcotics over the Southern Border. The tunnel was fully equipped with lighting and a ventilation system, as well as a track system to move contraband.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol agents discovered the tunnel back in April, when it was under construction at the time. The tunnel, when it was initially discovered by authorities, had barricades inside, preventing the agents from finding the entrance in Mexico. The exit to the US was inside or near a commercial warehouse space in San Diego.

The tunnel was described as "highly sophisticated" and went deep underground, running underneath the Otay Mesa Port of Entry along the border. A press release from DHS stated, "Agents carefully mapped the tunnel, which measured 2,918 feet in total length. Inside, the tunnel dimensions measured 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and ran approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point."

In coordination with Mexican authorities, the entry point in Mexico was found in a house in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood of Tijuana. Upon finding the entrance, it had been covered up with freshly laid tiles.

"As we continue to strengthen the nation’s air and maritime border security, it’s not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes," Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, acting chief patrol agent of the San Diego Sector said. "Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives."

Nearly 100 tunnels have been found and blocked off in the area of Southern California since 1993.