Alleged underground drug tunnel discovered in San Diego
Authorities recently uncovered a clandestine tunnel stretching from Tijuana to San Diego, believed to be a conduit for smuggling drugs, weapons, and people across the U.S.-Mexico border. During their investigation, officials seized drugs valued at an estimated $45 million.
In a separate series of operations this past July, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Diego intercepted illegal drugs valued at over $67 million, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
These seizures were carried out by officers from the CBP’s San Diego Field Office, which spans seven border ports between California and Mexico. This initiative was part of the enforced border security measures by the Trump administration aimed at strengthening safety along the southern boundary.
“Day in and day out, our officers demonstrate unwavering dedication to safeguarding our communities and securing our borders,” remarked Sidney Aki, director of field operations for CBP San Diego. “The substantial number of narcotics seizures highlights their diligence, skill, and determination to prevent dangerous substances from entering the United States.”
Throughout the month of July, between the 1st and 31st, officers from the San Diego office managed to confiscate an impressive 8,359 pounds of narcotics during 144 different smuggling incidents.
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A table packed with drugs seized by border authorities in San Diego. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Diego seized more than $67 million in illegal drugs across separate hauls in July, the Department of Homeland Security said. (Department of Homeland Security)
The hauls included 553 pounds of fentanyl, 36 pounds of heroin, 2,572 pounds of cocaine and 5,077 pounds of methamphetamine. In total, the drugs had an estimated street value of $67 million, DHS said.
Stash of drugs seized in July by border authorities at a San Diego port of entry. (Department of Homeland Security)
In addition, earlier this month, a 22-year-old Mexican citizen was found with 16 pounds of fentanyl — with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000 — hidden inside an electric moped attempting to enter the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which separates San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico.
CBP recently announced that officers stopped a vehicle carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube and other weapons as it attempted to cross from Arizona into Mexico.
Another batch of illegal drugs seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at San Diego ports of entry in July. (Department of Homeland Security)
In addition to the weapon, authorities said they found four rifles, an Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-style pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks and 20 pistol grips.