Mexico Discovers Advanced Cross-Border Tunnel Near San Diego
Mexican authorities have uncovered an intricate underground tunnel close to the U.S.-Mexico border. This tunnel, equipped with lighting, ventilation, and an electronic transport system, is believed to link Tijuana to a street in San Diego.
The investigation, announced by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) on Saturday, followed the execution of a search warrant in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood. The tunnel measures about 265 meters (approximately 870 feet) long and reaches a depth of around 6.3 meters (21 feet) deep.
Authorities revealed that the tunnel features functional elements such as lighting, ventilation, and a sliding mechanism to facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries. This discovery was part of a broader investigation into violations related to firearms, explosives, and drug trafficking.
Officials suspect the site may have served as a hub for logistics and trafficking activities concerning weapons, explosives, and narcotics.
Photos released from the operations show agents navigating the tunnel and recovering significant evidence, including ammunition, suspected narcotics, cell phones, and documents. Investigators noted that the tunnel’s construction indicates a well-organized operation.
The FGR believes this tunnel likely connects to a street in San Diego, although they have yet to confirm the exact U.S. location or whether the tunnel’s American exit has been found.
This discovery coincides with recent charges against four individuals accused of trafficking over a ton of cocaine through another complex tunnel linking Tijuana to San Diego. This previous tunnel was nearly 1,933 feet long, reaching a depth of about 55 feet, and was also equipped with reinforcements and essential infrastructure.
Federal officials are taking these findings seriously, viewing the discovery as a substantial hit to the criminal organizations that rely on such smuggling routes. The investigation will continue, with evidence handed over to federal prosecutors in Baja California for further inquiry.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon highlighted the significance of this operation, stating, “For these defendants, it wasn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. It was lights and sirens.”
