FEDS FIND 2ND MAJOR CROSS-BORDER TUNNEL IN OTAY MESA

Discovery leads to arrests and significant marijuana seizure

November 27, 2010 (Otay Mesa)—More than 20 tons of marijuana have been seized and eight people have been arrested following discovery of the second major cross-border tunnel found in the past two weeks. The half-mile-long tunnel links an Otay Mesa warehouse to a residence in Tijuana, Mexico.

According to authorities, this tunnel is even “more sophisticated” than an earlier tunnel found Nov. 2, which had its own railway, lighting and ventilation system. The tunnel is the 76th discovered along the U.S.-Mexico border in the past four years, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

“The discover again shows the cartels’ growing desperation in the face of beefed up border security,” said Miguel Unzueta, special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in San Deigo.

The investigations is being conducted by the San Diego Tunnel Task Force. The Task Force includes agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administraiton, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol. Authorities said they are also working closely with the Mexican military on the case.