Drug Tunnel Linking Otay Mesa, Tijuana Discovered

SAN DIEGO, CA: The discovery of a smuggling tunnel linking Otay Mesa and Tijuana was announced by authorities Monday.

Federal officials declined to release details about the underground passageway prior to a Wednesday morning news conference with U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy and supervising agents with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The discovery comes six months after investigators ferreted out a well-appointed tunnel stretching nearly a half-mile underneath the international line between warehouses in the same two border communities.

Law enforcement agents raided that roughly 800-yard-long subterranean passageway — which was outfitted with ventilation, electric lighting and rails for ferrying contraband — on the night of Oct. 21, hours after it went into use for the first time, authorities said at the time.

City News Service

Photo: Former San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson takes a close up look at previously discovered drug tunnel in Otay Mesa. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)