World’s longest drug-smuggling tunnel discovered below San Diego

The longest-ever drug smuggling tunnel was discovered along the US Southwest border, officials said Wednesday

The sophisticated underground pathway is over three-quarters of a mile long and features a rail system and an elevator, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

The tunnel originated in an industrial area in Tijuana, Mexico, and stretched over 4,000 feet into San Diego, the agency said.

“The sophistication and length of this particular tunnel demonstrates the time-consuming efforts transnational criminal organizations will undertake to facilitate cross-border smuggling,” said Cardell Morant, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego.

The tunnel, which was discovered in August, is about five-and-a-half feet tall and two feet wide with an average depth of 70 feet.

In addition to the rail-cart system and an elevator, the pathway had forced air ventilation, high voltage cables and a complex drainage system, US Customs and Border Protection said.

The tunnel’s Tijuana entrance was concealed by a small industrial building.

Its exit, located in San Diego’s Otay Mesa warehouse district, was found covered by several hundred sand bags.

“I am thrilled that this high level narco-tunnel has been discovered and will be rendered unusable for cross-border smuggling,” Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke.

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