A sophisticated 2,000-foot-long drug-smuggling tunnel complete with reinforced walls, ventilation, electricity and a rail system has been discovered beneath a fake discount store in San Diego. Authorities seized more than a ton of cocaine valued at over $45 million during the operation. The tunnel ran 55 feet deep, extended just over 1,000 feet on the U.S. side to the border, and continued another 800 feet into Mexico.
The discovery occurred as part of a monthslong Homeland Security Investigations Tunnel Task Force probe into the Buy 4 Less store near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, directly across from Tijuana. Surveillance began in December 2025 after agents noticed a new group of apparent employees. Investigators observed minimal customer foot traffic inconsistent with a normal retail location.
Agents watched employees carry apparently empty suitcases from the store across the border into Tijuana by car and sometimes by hand. The operation escalated on May 29 when large heavy items were loaded into a white van parked a short distance from the store. A man on a bicycle retrieved a key hidden near the van's gas cap and drove it to meet another van.
A large truck then arrived and deep freezers containing packages were transferred between the vehicles. San Diego County sheriff's deputies moved in and stopped three vehicles in total. More than 2,269 pounds of cocaine were recovered from those vehicles.
Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez, 29, of San Diego faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, constructing financing or using unauthorized tunnels, and importation of a controlled substance. Jose Jimenez, 32, also of San Diego, along with Antonio Cortez, 18, and Brandon Escalante Sandoval, 26, both of Mexico, face distribution charges. All four men could receive up to life in prison if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement that for these defendants it was not a light at the end of the tunnel but lights and sirens. The tunnel exit was concealed under the floor of a storage room inside the Buy 4 Less store. Federal officials obtained a warrant to search the premises after the vehicle stops.
The tunnel connected Tijuana directly to the San Diego warehouse operation. Officials said the reinforced construction indicated advanced engineering by the smuggling group. Kevin Murphy, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, stated that the investigation and seizure represent a blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He highlighted the discovery and dismantlement of the sophisticated cross-border tunnel along with the cocaine seizure. Murphy emphasized the commitment and collaboration of Homeland Security Investigations and its Homeland Security Task Force partners.
Surveillance teams documented the employees' routine of transporting what appeared to be empty suitcases into Mexico before returning with heavy loads. The activity around the purported discount store showed no signs of legitimate retail business. Agents waited for the May 29 transfer involving multiple vehicles before intervening to capture the full scope of the distribution network.
The tunnel's design reflected substantial investment by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in cross-border infrastructure. Its depth of 55 feet and total length exceeding 2,000 feet demonstrated engineering capable of evading standard detection methods. Authorities noted the reinforced walls as features that enabled repeated large-scale shipments.
The seizure of more than one ton of cocaine disrupts a major supply line tied to the cartel. Four arrests target both U.S. and Mexican participants in the distribution chain. The operation shows how legitimate-looking commercial fronts can conceal sophisticated smuggling networks near busy ports of entry.
A sophisticated 2,000-foot-long drug-smuggling tunnel complete with reinforced walls, ventilation, electricity and a rail system has been discovered beneath a fake discount store in San Diego. Authorities seized more than a ton of cocaine valued at over $45 million during the operation. The tunnel ran 55 feet deep, extended just over 1,000 feet on the U.S. side to the border, and continued another 800 feet into Mexico.
The discovery occurred as part of a monthslong Homeland Security Investigations Tunnel Task Force probe into the Buy 4 Less store near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, directly across from Tijuana. Surveillance began in December 2025 after agents noticed a new group of apparent employees. Investigators observed minimal customer foot traffic inconsistent with a normal retail location.
Agents watched employees carry apparently empty suitcases from the store across the border into Tijuana by car and sometimes by hand. The operation escalated on May 29 when large heavy items were loaded into a white van parked a short distance from the store. A man on a bicycle retrieved a key hidden near the van's gas cap and drove it to meet another van.
A large truck then arrived and deep freezers containing packages were transferred between the vehicles. San Diego County sheriff's deputies moved in and stopped three vehicles in total. More than 2,269 pounds of cocaine were recovered from those vehicles.
Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez, 29, of San Diego faces charges of distribution of a controlled substance, constructing financing or using unauthorized tunnels, and importation of a controlled substance. Jose Jimenez, 32, also of San Diego, along with Antonio Cortez, 18, and Brandon Escalante Sandoval, 26, both of Mexico, face distribution charges. All four men could receive up to life in prison if convicted.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement that for these defendants it was not a light at the end of the tunnel but lights and sirens. The tunnel exit was concealed under the floor of a storage room inside the Buy 4 Less store. Federal officials obtained a warrant to search the premises after the vehicle stops.
Mexican authorities described the tunnel on their side as a storage, logistics and trafficking center for weapons, explosives and illegal drugs. The cross-border passage connected Tijuana directly to the San Diego warehouse operation. Officials said the tunnel's rail system and reinforced construction indicated advanced engineering by the smuggling group.
Kevin Murphy, acting special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, stated that the investigation and seizure represent a blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. He highlighted the discovery and dismantlement of the sophisticated cross-border tunnel along with the cocaine seizure. Murphy emphasized the commitment and collaboration of Homeland Security Investigations and its Homeland Security Task Force partners.
Surveillance teams documented the employees' routine of transporting what appeared to be empty suitcases into Mexico before returning with heavy loads. The activity around the purported discount store showed no signs of legitimate retail business. Agents waited for the May 29 transfer involving multiple vehicles before intervening to capture the full scope of the distribution network.
The tunnel's ventilation and electrical systems allowed operators to move large quantities undetected over an extended period. Its rail system facilitated efficient transport of heavy packages beneath the international border. The combined U.S. and Mexican lengths created a direct pipeline from Tijuana logistics hubs into San Diego streets.
The tunnel's design reflected substantial investment by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in cross-border infrastructure. Its depth of 55 feet and total length exceeding 2,000 feet demonstrated engineering capable of evading standard detection methods. Authorities noted the rail system and reinforced walls as features that enabled repeated large-scale shipments.
The seizure of more than one ton of cocaine disrupts a major supply line tied to the cartel. Four arrests target both U.S. and Mexican participants in the distribution chain. The operation shows how legitimate-looking commercial fronts can conceal sophisticated smuggling networks near busy ports of entry.
The concrete next step for federal investigators involves tracing the cartel's upstream suppliers and downstream distributors who relied on this tunnel infrastructure.
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The sources also report that the tunnel was discovered beneath a fake discount store called Buy 4 Less, located near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.