Authorities Uncover Drug Tunnel in San Diego
San Diego authorities recently unveiled a tunnel suspected of facilitating the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and individuals between Tijuana and San Diego. Investigators valued the drugs seized at approximately $45 million.
Significant Drug Seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
In an exclusive report, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Diego intercepted illegal drugs valued at over $67 million in July. These actions fall under the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to reinforce the southern border.
Sidney Aki, CBP San Diego Director of Field Operations, praised the officers for their dedication. He said, “Day after day, our officers remain steadfast in their mission to protect our communities and secure our borders.” Aki emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing dangerous drugs from entering the United States.
Narcotic Seizures in July
From July 1 to July 31, San Diego field officers confiscated 8,359 pounds of drugs during 144 smuggling attempts. The seized substances included:
- 553 pounds of fentanyl
- 36 pounds of heroin
- 2,572 pounds of cocaine
- 5,077 pounds of methamphetamine
These drugs were estimated to have a street value of $67 million.
Additional Operation Details
An incident in early July involved a 22-year-old Mexican national caught at the San Ysidro Port of Entry with 16 pounds of fentanyl hidden in an electric moped. The fentanyl’s street value was nearly $240,000. This port spans the border between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico.
Weapons Intercepted
In a separate incident, CBP stopped a vehicle attempting to cross from Arizona into Mexico carrying an assortment of weapons. These included a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube, four rifles, an Avtomat Kalashnikova AK-style pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, and 20 pistol grips.
These seizures reflect ongoing efforts to counter illegal trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border.