3,000ft cross-border tunnel used by 'terrorist' cartels discovered
The 3,000ft tunnel included lighting, a fully functional ventilation system and tracks to move contraband across the US-Mexico border amid a crackdown on drug trafficking
A huge 3,000ft tunnel used for drug smuggling has been uncovered beneath the US-Mexico border. The "large-scale narcotics smuggling tunnel" linking Tijuana to the San Diego area extended more than 1,000ft inside the US, and described by Border Patrol agents as "highly sophisticated".
It included lighting, a fully functional ventilation system and tracks to move contraband, and appears to be the latest attempt by organised criminals to maintain drug trafficking routes amid a tough crackdown at the 1,954-mile border. The US Border Patrol's San Diego Sector Tunnel Team raided the tunnel on Monday after becoming aware of it during its construction.
They located the entrance point inside a home in the Nueva Tijuana neighbourhood of Tijuana and alerted Mexican authorities, who served a warrant at the location.
Upon arrival, they found a tile had been laid at the entrance in an attempt to hide it from authorities. When officers made it inside the tunnel they encountered a set of "haphazard" barricades erected along the way, designed to prevent them from finding out where it ended up.
Border Patrol agents eventually discovered it led to a commercial warehouse in Otay Mesa, California. The tunnel, which went about 50ft underground at its deepest point and was 2,918ft long, is now set for "immediate remediation" by the US Border Patrol.
Contractors have been instructed to fill it in with thousands of gallons of concrete to prevent its use by what the US government describes as "Foreign Terrorist Organisations".
Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Border Patrol's San Diego Sector, said: "As we continue to strengthen the nation's air, and maritime border security, it's not surprising that foreign terrorist organisations would resort to underground routes.
"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."
The tunnel raid forms part of a hardline border and immigration policy encouraged by Donald Trump's White House, with the US president having signed an executive order just hours into his second term ordering a stop to the "invasion of the United States through the southern border".
Yesterday, Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to resume raids on farms and hotels after employers complained that the "invasive" operations disrupting the industry and scaring off foreign-born workers.
Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said: "The president has been incredibly clear. There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbour violent criminals or purposely try to undermine Ice's efforts."
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