Tijuana-Otay Mesa tunnel discovered

UNION-TRIBUNE

November 17, 2005

Mexican and U.S. authorities are investigating a cross-border tunnel found yesterday near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

The Tijuana police department, in a statement released last night, said the tunnel was about 50 feet long, and its entrance was accessible from a street on the Mexican side.

The tunnel, which was found about 5 p.m. Wednesday, is connected to a sewage or water drain line on the U.S. side, Tijuana police officials said.

Lauren Mack, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, said the passageway was being guarded overnight on both sides, and U.S. authorities would learn more about it today.

"Once morning comes then we will be able to bring equipment in to start digging it up to know more about what we got," she said.

Mack said the tunnel's discovery was part of the agency's ongoing investigation on secret passageways along the border. Mexican authorities said it was a collaborative effort.

Tijuana's police chief, Genaro Carrillo Elvira, said in the news release that the tunnel appeared to be used to smuggle people or drugs across the border.

Read the Union Tribune article here.