Massive drug smuggling tunnel found between US and Mexico

A massive tunnel used to smuggle drugs from Tijuana in Mexico to San Diego has been discovered by US officials.

14:58 01 November 2013

A “super tunnel”, which is equipped with lighting, ventilation, and an electric rail system, was discovered by US authorities. Officials confirmed that it is one of the most sophisticated secret passages ever found along the US-Mexico border.

The tunnel links warehouses in Tijuana and San Diego’s Otay Mesa industrial area. During the raid, the police has arrested three men and confiscated 8.5 tonnes of marijuana and 327lbs of cocaine.

Bill Sherman of the Drugs Enforcement Administration (DEA) said: “They've worked very hard over a year, maybe two years to build a tunnel of this sophistication. It's taken hundreds of thousands of man hours and millions of dollars to complete.”

Meanwhile, Derek Benner of US Immigration and Customs, said: "This complex underground passageway zig-zags for about a third of a mile under the border at a depth of approximately 35ft on average.”

Federal agents previously put the San Diego warehouse under surveillance after they received a tip that operators brought drills and other construction equipment in August and September.

US Attorney Laura Duffy suggested that the tunnel was probably built by architects and engineers. She said: "They are hi-tech, they include railways, push carts, ventilation systems, and hydraulically-controlled steel doors.”