Latest news with #JeffreyD.Stalnaker
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
'Drug smuggling' tunnel connecting Mexico to US discovered
Border patrol agents discovered an underground tunnel connecting a residence in Tijuana to the San Diego area, which authorities said was being built to smuggle narcotics across the border undetected. Agents assigned to the San Diego Sector Tunnel Team, part of the U.S. Border Patrol operation, found the "drug smuggling" tunnel while it was being actively constructed in early April, according to a June 18 news release from Customs and Border Protection. When they entered the tunnel, they discovered a "highly sophisticated" system with electrical wiring, lights and a track "designed for transporting large quantities of contraband," the release said. In total, the tunnel spanned 2,918 feet, or just over half a mile, and reached more than 1,000 feet into U.S. territory, the release said. It was about 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point, officials said. Inside the tunnel were makeshift barricades and at its end point in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood, Mexican authorities discovered the entrance had been recently tiled over. Photos shared by the agency show the inside of the tunnel with stone walls and a metal track system. One photo showed an agent crawling along the track on their stomach. "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 in the statement. "Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives." Trump and the fentanyl crisis: Will his plan work? Smuggling tunnels have been found before It's not the first time agents have discovered underground tunnels meant for smuggling contraband, according to CBP: Since 1995, authorities have found more than 95 tunnels in the San Diego area. This one will be filled with thousands of gallons of concrete, CBP said. In 2020, border patrol agents found what they described at the time as the longest of its kind ever discovered along the Southwest border, the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. It was 4,309 feet long, or over three-quarters of a mile, and connected Tijuana to the Otay Mesa warehouse district, CBP said. It had an elevator, an extensive track system and forced-air ventilation. The same year, agents seized 4,400 pounds of illicit drugs from another over 2,000-foot tunnel between Mexico and the San Diego area, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said at the time.
American Military News
7 hours ago
- American Military News
Pics: Massive drug smuggling tunnel shut down by Border Patrol
U.S. Border Patrol agents recently uncovered and shut down a roughly 3,00-foot-long drug smuggling tunnel under the southern border between the United States and Mexico. In a Wednesday press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that Border Patrol agents 'uncovered and disabled a large-scale narcotics smuggling tunnel' that connected Tijuana, Mexico, to San Diego, California. The press release noted that the tunnel was 'highly sophisticated' and extended over 1,000 feet into the United States. Customs and Border Protection explained that the San Diego Sector Tunnel Team's Border Patrol agents discovered the tunnel when it was being constructed in early April and determined that its projected exit point was either inside or near a commercial warehouse space in San Diego. 'The investigation revealed the tunnel was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems, and a track system designed for transporting large quantities of contraband,' Customs and Border Protection stated. During the Border Patrol's initial investigation of the tunnel, agents discovered 'makeshift barricades' that were placed 'haphazardly' in an effort to prevent officials from identifying the origin of the tunnel in Mexico. READ MORE: Zero illegal immigrants released into US by Trump admin in May 'Agents carefully mapped the tunnel, which measured 2,918 feet in total length,' Customs and BorderPatrol added. 'Inside, the tunnel dimensions measured 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and ran approximately 50 feet underground at its deepest point.' According to the press release, Border Patrol agents coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations and Mexican officials on Monday to locate the tunnel's origin in Tijuana, Mexico. Mexican officials discovered that the entrance had been hidden with tile. Pictures of the massive drug smuggling tunnel were shared Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, by Libs of TikTok. BREAKING: Border Patrol agents shut down massive 3,000-foot drug smuggling tunnel between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, equipped with lighting, ventilation systems and tracks to move narcotics The agents discovered the tunnel in early April while it was ACTIVELY under… — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 19, 2025 '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. 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.' In Wednesday's press release, Customs and Border Protection said that over 95 tunnels have been 'found and decommissioned' in the San Diego area since 1993. Officials also confirmed that the nearly 3,000-foot tunnel has been scheduled for 'immediate remediation' by Border Patrol agents and that thousands of gallons of concrete will be poured into the tunnel to prevent terrorist organizations from using the tunnel for smuggling operations in the future.
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Half-mile drug-smuggling tunnel connecting Tijuana to San Diego shut down by Border Patrol
At a depth of about 50 feet, a roughly half-mile-long tunnel connecting a home inside the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood with a commercial warehouse across the border in San Diego County has been uncovered by federal authorities. U.S. and Mexican authorities say they believe the passage was dug to transport large-scale contraband. The tunnel measured 42 inches in height, 28 inches in width and was equipped with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems and a track system, according to authorities. Whatever safe passage the tunnel offered ended Monday when Border Patrol agents shut down the construction site with the aid of Department of Homeland Security officials and Mexican authorities. '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 in a statement. 'Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives.' Border Patrol agents from San Diego's Tunnel Team discovered the tunnel in April as it was actively under construction but didn't uncover the origin point until this week. They mapped the tunnel and documented that it was 2,918 feet in length, which included more than 1,000 feet within the U.S. The tunnel ran underneath the Otay Mesa border point and was believed to have exited at a commercial warehouse. As agents attempted to discover the tunnel's starting point, they encountered barricades placed by workers to inhibit law enforcement. That entrance was eventually discovered in Nueva Tijuana, a neighborhood only a few blocks from the U.S. border. Mexican federal and state authorities from Baja California executed a search warrant 'for crimes against national health,' according to a post on X from Omar Hamid García Harfuch, Mexico's secretary of Security and Civilian Protection. The entrance to the tunnel had been hidden under recentlyn placed tile, according to the Border Patrol. Mexico's Security Cabinet confirmed that a package containing methamphetamine was seized inside the tunnel. '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,' Stalnaker said. Contractors are expected to pour thousands of gallons of concrete into the tunnel, preventing its future usage. In 2022, authorities discovered a similar tunnel under Otay Mesa that was roughly 1,750 feet long, 60 feet deep and 4 feet in diameter with reinforced walls and a rail system. Six people were eventually charged with conspiracy to distribute nearly a ton of cocaine. Since 1993, more than 95 tunnels have been found and decommissioned in the San Diego area, according to the Border Patrol.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
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."
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Border Patrol agents shut down massive drug smuggling tunnel between Tijuana and San Diego
US Border Patrol agents recently discovered and disabled a nearly 3,000-foot-long narcotics smuggling tunnel sitting beneath the US-Mexico border. Agents found the tunnel — which linked Tijuana and San Diego — in early April while it was actively under construction. Advertisement The underground passageway ran under part of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and had a projected exit point near or inside a commercial warehouse space in San Diego, according to an announcement from US Customs and Border Protection. Upon entering the 'highly sophisticated' tunnel, authorities were met with barricades seemingly placed to prevent law enforcement from finding its entrance, the announcement noted. The tunnel — which reached depths of around 50 feet underground at its deepest point — measured 2,918 feet long, 42 inches tall and 28 inches wide It was equipped with lighting, electrical wiring, ventilation systems and a track system for transporting large amounts of contraband. Advertisement 5 Agents found the tunnel — which linked Tijuana and San Diego — in early April while it was actively under construction. U.S. Customs and Border Protection 5 The tunnel — which reached depths of around 50 feet underground at its deepest point — measured 2,918 feet long, 42 inches tall and 28 inches wide U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents — working alongside Homeland Security Investigations and Government of Mexico authorities — found the entrance point to the tunnel on Monday inside a house in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood in Tijuana. The entrance had recently been covered up with freshly laid tile, according to the announcement. Advertisement Thousands of gallons of concrete will soon be poured into the tunnel to prevent it from being used by Foreign Terrorist Organizations, US Customs and Border Protection noted. '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 in a statement. 'Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives.' 5 Border Patrol Agents look out at the construction of an elevated highway being built in Tijuana, Mexico, across from the US border on June 10, 2025. AP 5 American military officials install concertina wire on top of the border wall running along the US-Mexico border between San Diego and Tijuana on April 23, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 5 San Diego, USA and Tijuana, Mexico is separated by the border wall on May 8, 2025. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images More than 95 tunnels have been decommissioned in the San Diego area since 1993. US Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
