Federal agents have found a drug-smuggling tunnel — the longest ever — about 250 feet south of the Southwest border. It stretches out at about three-quarters of a mile long.
The tunnel begins in Tijuana, Mexico and travels an incredible 4,309 feet all the way into San Diego, California. The second-longest tunnel ever discovered was also found in San Diego. That tunnel was 3,259 feet long.
The length of the drug-smuggling tunnel wasn’t the only impressive discovery.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) noted that the tunnel has a sophisticated rail and cart system. It also has electricity and air ventilation. It isn’t clear how long it took for the tunnel to be built.
“The sophistication of this tunnel demonstrates the determination and monetary resources of the cartels,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery on Wednesday in a statement.
“Although the cartels will continue to use their resources to try and breach our border, the DEA and our partners on the Tunnel Task Force will continue to use our resources to ensure they fail, that our border is secure, and that tunnels like this are shut down to stem the flow of deadly drugs entering the United States,” Callery continued.
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The tunnel, laying 70 feet under the ground, is about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and two feet wide. The CBP and its partners discovered the tunnel after a multiyear investigation.
Officials haven’t arrested anyone yet. However, CBP Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke says that agents are still continuing their investigation.
“I am confident that our hard work and dedication to uphold the law will lead to future arrests and seizures,” said Heitke.
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Officials know that Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel operates in the area. It is one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations in the world.
