Four suspects charged after one-ton cocaine bust reveals US-Mexico tunnel

Federal prosecutors have charged four individuals, two Mexican nationals and two Americans, with trafficking over a ton of cocaine for the Jalisco New Generation cartel. The operation utilized a fake retail store in San Diego, "Buy 4 Less," as a front for a sophisticated tunnel that extended across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. Authorities discovered the tunnel, accessed via a hydraulic lift, after surveilling the store and observing suspicious activity. The suspects, aged 18 to 32, face life imprisonment, with one also charged with constructing or using unauthorized tunnels. This bust, involving over 2,250 pounds of cocaine, represents a significant blow to the cartel and is the first cross-border tunnel found in Southern California since 2022.

Mexican authorities have discovered a sophisticated underground tunnel in Tijuana, approximately 265 meters long and 21 feet deep, equipped with lighting, ventilation, and an electronic transport system. The Attorney General's Office (FGR) believes this tunnel may connect to San Diego and was used for trafficking firearms, explosives, and illicit drugs. The discovery was made during an investigation into alleged violations of firearms and drug laws. Separately, U.S. authorities recently dismantled a larger tunnel between Tijuana and San Diego, seizing over a ton of cocaine and charging four individuals, a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Both discoveries highlight the ongoing use of extensive underground networks for cross-border criminal operations.