Major drug tunnel discovered, 14 tons of marijuana seized

Published 17 November 2011

On Tuesday customs officials discovered a major drug tunnel below the U.S.-Mexico border which led to the seizure of fourteen tons of marijuana

On Tuesday customs officials discovered a major drug tunnel below the U.S.-Mexico border which led to the seizure of fourteen tons of marijuana.

The tunnel was located in a warehouse in San Diego near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry that was used by smugglers as a base of operations. California Highway Patrol officers pulled over a small cargo truck leaving the warehouse and found approximately three tons of marijuana packed in boxes.

After obtaining a search warrant, Tunnel Task Force agents raided the warehouse and found approximately 6.5 tons of marijuana as well as the tunnel.

The tunnel was relatively spacious measuring approximately four feet by three feet and had been outfitted with structural supports, ventilation, and electricity.

U.S. agents immediately notified Mexican authorities and a warehouse in Tijuana on the other side of the tunnel was raided. There authorities discovered as much as six tons of marijuana.

The latest discovery is the sixth large drug tunnel found in San Diego since 2006 and the third this year.