Massive secret tunnel used to smuggle $45 million worth of cocaine into California, prosecutors allege
Key takeaways
- On Monday, four men were charged with participating in a scheme to use the tunnel to traffic massive amounts of narcotics into America.
- Homeland Security investigators began paying close attention to the Buy 4 Less in December when they observed suspicious activity around the store.
- A new group of seven or eight “employees” was seen regularly going in and out of the building carrying a large number of suitcases.
The secret cross-border tunnel has reinforced walls, rail and ventilation systems and electricity. (U.S. Attorney’s Office) By Clara Harter Staff Writer Follow June 1, 2026 9:34 PM PT 1 4 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Underneath a seemingly unassuming “Buy 4 Less” store in a San Diego County neighborhood hid a sprawling secret — a tunnel 55 feet deep and nearly 2,000 feet long that was used to smuggle some $45 million worth of cocaine from Mexico to California, prosecutors allege.
The subterranean passageway in Otay Mesa, complete with reinforced walls, a rail system, ventilation and electricity, is believed to have been operated by the Jalisco New Generation cartel and was discovered by a Homeland Security task force last week, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.