10News.com

Sustain San Diego
Sustain San Diego
10 News Leadership Award
San Diego News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters
Related To Story

Border Patrol Discovers Unfinished Tunnel

POSTED: 10:05 pm PDT July 2, 2009
UPDATED: 8:40 am PDT July 3, 2009

Agents of the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement discovered another border tunnel Thursday about 1.5 miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to ICE spokesperson, Lauren Mack.

Agents with the San Diego Tunnel Task Force found the unfinished 53-foot tunnel reinforced with a plywood roof and two-by-four wooden planks, Mack said.

Inside the tunnel, agents also found lights that operated with car batteries, fans and tubing for ventilation, Mack said.

According to an ICE news release, the tunnel diggers entered into the U.S. through a manhole in Tijuana about five feet south of the U.S. Mexico border, crawled under the border fence and accessed a sewage pipe.

After crawling for approximately 700 feet in the U.S., they broke out of the pipe and dug a 20-foot tunnel to reach the ground level, exiting into a open field, which was found covered with an old sofa cushion.

Agents worked closely with a contract construction company and a robot to help them conduct the search.

Agents from the task force believe the tunnel was being built to smuggle both humans and drugs from Tijuana to San Diego, Mack said.

More than 100 tunnels have been discovered along the U.S/Mexico border to date, Mack said. The majority were found on the California Mexico border.
The following are comments from our users. Opinions expressed are neither created nor endorsed by 10News.com. By posting your comments you agree to accept our Terms of Use. To report an offensive or otherwise inappropriate comment, click the "Flag" link that appears beneath that comment. Flagging a comment will send it to our editorial staff for review.

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Boost your home value and make buyers bite with these bathroom updates. More

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Snacking can be a healthy part of your diet, as long as you choose the right snacks. Get tips for eating between meals. More

Sponsored Links

BuyWithMe Deal

50% Off Harbor Cruise!
- Hornblower Cruise
- $25 Value
- Limited Offer!
- Learn More!


Auto Reviews & Tips

The vehicles are selected for best protecting motorists in front, side and rear crash tests based on Institute evaluations during the year. More