Authorities find longest Southwest border smuggling tunnel

Source: AP

By ELLIOT SPAGAT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. authorities on Wednesday announced the discovery of the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the Southwest border, stretching more than three-quarters of a mile from an industrial site in Tijuana, Mexico, to the San Diego area.

The tunnel featured an extensive rail cart system, forced air ventilation, high voltage electrical cables and panels, an elevator at the tunnel entrance and a drainage system.

While there were no arrests, no drugs found at the site and no confirmed exit point in the U.S., the length — more than 14 football fields — stunned authorities.

“This one blows past (the second-longest),” said Lance LeNoir, a Border Patrol operations supervisor. “We never really thought they had the moxie to go that far. They continue to surprise me.”



A covered access point leading to a smuggling tunnel is seen on the U.S side of the border wall in San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. Authorities have announced the discovery of the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the Southwest border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Wednesday the tunnel stretches more than three-quarters of a mile from a small warehouse in Tijuana, Mexico, into the San Diego area. (AP Photo/Elliot Spagat)


Read more: https://apnews.com/21b592aa0a812225dad0e44f2538de54