Terrifying underground smuggling tunnel is discovered lurking beneath California warehouse
A massive tunnel meant to smuggle drugs into the US has been recently discovered and shut down by US border officials.
The underground corridor is nearly 3,000 feet long, starting under a home in Tijuana, Mexico, US Border Patrol announced Wednesday.
On the American side of the border, the tunnel runs more than 1,000 feet with an exit near a warehouse in Otay Mesa, south of San Diego, California.
The clandestine crawlway was discovered in April, when it was still under construction, the agency revealed.
Despite being unfinished, the Border Patrol described it as 'highly sophisticated,' equipped with electrical with wiring, lighting and ventilation systems.
It had also been outfitted with a track system meant to move large quantities of drugs into the US.
The Sinola Drug Cartel, formerly led by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, is more than likely behind the construction.
The drug kingpin remains in a federal super max facility in Colorado, however, the mafia he ran remains a dominant force on the border, still considered one of the most powerful in Mexico.
The underground corridor was still under construction, but is described as 'highly sophisticated' due to the electricity, ventilation and drug transportation system
The Mexican criminal organization is notorious for its use of clandestine man-made channels to move narcotics and people.
Since first finding the tunnel, US officials have been able to map it, revealing measures 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and ran approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point.
Authorities have also been to private residence in the Tijuana neighborhood of Nueva Tijuana where the opening is.
Mexican police found freshly laid tile used to hide to opening.
The discovery comes at a time when security at the border tighter than ever before, with historically low numbers of border crossings under the Trump Administration.
'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 stated.
'Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives. I'm grateful for the exceptional work of the Tunnel Team agents who placed themselves in danger, as well as the cooperation of our Mexican law enforcement partners.'
Since 1993, more than 95 tunnels have been found and decommissioned in the San Diego area.
This most recent tunnel will be filled with cement to stop it from being used.
In January, another tunnel was found in El Paso, Texas.
The passage way, found on January 9 and hidden in a storm sewer system, spans all the way from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to the Texas city of El Paso .
That tunnel was finished and had been used to smuggle people, including those who paid upwards of $20,000 each to guarantee passage into the US.
On the Mexican side, the tunnel measures about 1,000 feet and has lighting, ventilation and is reinforced to stop collapses, Mexican officials said.
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Terrifying underground smuggling tunnel is discovered lurking beneath California warehouse
A massive tunnel meant to smuggle drugs into the US has been recently discovered and shut down by US border officials. The underground corridor is nearly 3,000 feet long, starting under a home in Tijuana, Mexico, US Border Patrol announced Wednesday. On the American side of the border, the tunnel runs more than 1,000 feet with an exit near a warehouse in Otay Mesa, south of San Diego, California. The clandestine crawlway was discovered in April, when it was still under construction, the agency revealed. Despite being unfinished, the Border Patrol described it as 'highly sophisticated,' equipped with electrical with wiring, lighting and ventilation systems. It had also been outfitted with a track system meant to move large quantities of drugs into the US. The Sinola Drug Cartel, formerly led by Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, is more than likely behind the construction. The drug kingpin remains in a federal super max facility in Colorado, however, the mafia he ran remains a dominant force on the border, still considered one of the most powerful in Mexico. The underground corridor was still under construction, but is described as 'highly sophisticated' due to the electricity, ventilation and drug transportation system The Mexican criminal organization is notorious for its use of clandestine man-made channels to move narcotics and people. Since first finding the tunnel, US officials have been able to map it, revealing measures 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and ran approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point. Authorities have also been to private residence in the Tijuana neighborhood of Nueva Tijuana where the opening is. Mexican police found freshly laid tile used to hide to opening. The discovery comes at a time when security at the border tighter than ever before, with historically low numbers of border crossings under the Trump Administration. '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 stated. 'Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives. I'm grateful for the exceptional work of the Tunnel Team agents who placed themselves in danger, as well as the cooperation of our Mexican law enforcement partners.' Since 1993, more than 95 tunnels have been found and decommissioned in the San Diego area. This most recent tunnel will be filled with cement to stop it from being used. In January, another tunnel was found in El Paso, Texas. The passage way, found on January 9 and hidden in a storm sewer system, spans all the way from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to the Texas city of El Paso . That tunnel was finished and had been used to smuggle people, including those who paid upwards of $20,000 each to guarantee passage into the US. On the Mexican side, the tunnel measures about 1,000 feet and has lighting, ventilation and is reinforced to stop collapses, Mexican officials said.
