US Authorities Discover Sophisticated Drug Tunnel at Mexican Border
United States authorities have discovered a sophisticated tunnel stretching across the US-Mexico border. The underground passage, which terminates in a retail shop in the state of California, is believed to have been used for smuggling cocaine.
Reports from US officials, as cited by AFP on Wednesday (3/6/2026), indicate that the cocaine smuggled through the tunnel is estimated to be worth more than US$45 million. The underground passage extends from a location in the city of Tijuana, Mexico, to an exit at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, with an estimated length of 590 metres and a height of 1.4 metres. The tunnel is situated at a depth of 16.8 metres below the surface.
US investigators stated that the tunnel features reinforced walls, a rail and ventilation system, an electrical supply, and is accessed via a hydraulic lift. Video released by the US Department of Justice shows well-constructed concrete stairs leading into the tunnel, which appears to be carved from rock with a concrete floor.
Federal drug investigators from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly spent months monitoring movements around a retail store named “Buy 4 Less” on the US side of the border. During the DHS raid, investigators discovered over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, believed to have been transported through the tunnel and loaded into several trucks.
“Criminal organisations continue to seek ways to exploit our border, but they underestimate the determination of the men and women who protect it. The discovery of this tunnel is a testament to our strong partnership and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement on both sides of the border,” said Justin De La Torre, head agent of the US Border Patrol San Diego sector.
At least four individuals—two from San Diego and two from Mexico—have been charged in connection with the alleged drug importation. The US Department of Justice stated that 99 underground tunnels have been discovered in the southern district of California since 1993, 28 of which are considered sophisticated. The last operational tunnel discovered in the area was in 2022.