Federal investigators say a months-long probe uncovered a nearly 2,000-foot tunnel linking San Diego and Tijuana and led to the seizure of about 1,029.6 kilograms of cocaine, valued at roughly $45 million. Surveillance and traffic stops on May 29 produced the drug seizure and arrests tied to the Otay Mesa store Buy 4 Less, which agents allege concealed the tunnel's U.S. exit. The tunnel reportedly featured electricity, ventilation, rail tracks and a hydraulic lift. Four people have been charged; prosecutors say each could face life if convicted.
Nearly 2,000-Foot Smuggling Tunnel Found Between San Diego And Tijuana; Over a Ton of Cocaine Seized
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A months-long federal investigation uncovered a sophisticated cross-border smuggling tunnel linking San Diego and Tijuana and led to charges against four people after authorities seized more than a ton of cocaine.
Via US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California
Investigation and Surveillance
Homeland Security Investigations' Tunnel Task Force began monitoring a retail outlet called Buy 4 Less in Otay Mesa, California, in late 2025 after agents noticed activity inconsistent with normal store operations. Located near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, the store drew little customer traffic while showing a steady flow of workers and frequent, unusual movements to and from Mexico.
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Investigators say employees regularly moved large numbers of suitcases between the store and locations in Mexico, prompting suspicions that the business was a front for a larger smuggling operation.
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The May 29 Bust
Authorities say the probe reached a turning point on May 29, when surveillance teams watched several vehicles being loaded with heavy packages and shuttled between the Buy 4 Less location and a mechanic shop in National City. Agents observed deep freezers moved between vehicles and loaded with packages before the drivers departed.
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Traffic stops by San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,029.6 kilograms (well over one ton) of cocaine hidden inside trucks and vans. Federal officials estimate the street value of the drugs at about $45 million. The narcotics were concealed in deep freezers, duffel bags and boxes disguised as household goods such as microwave ovens and mattresses.
Tunnel Discovery And Features
Following arrests, federal agents executed search warrants at the Buy 4 Less site and say they discovered an advanced underground tunnel connecting San Diego and Tijuana. Prosecutors described the passage as nearly 2,000 feet long and descending roughly 55 feet below ground. Reported features include electricity, ventilation systems, reinforced walls, rail tracks and a motorized cart used to move cargo. The alleged U.S. exit was concealed beneath the floor of a storage area and accessed via a hydraulic lift mechanism.
Arrests, Charges, And Potential Penalties
Federal authorities identified four defendants: Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez, 29, of San Diego; Jose Jimenez, 32, of San Diego; Brandon Escalante Sandoval, 26, of Mexico; and Antonio Cortez, 18, of Mexico. All four are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine; Hernandez Lopez faces additional charges tied to use of the tunnel and importing narcotics into the United States. Prosecutors say each defendant could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
"For these defendants, it wasn't a light at the end of the tunnel. It was lights and sirens," U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a statement.
Law-Enforcement Assessment
Federal officials described the disruption as a "significant blow" to the trafficking operations of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The case illustrates the continued use of sophisticated subterranean infrastructure by transnational criminal organizations and the role of multiagency investigations in uncovering and dismantling such operations.
Note: Investigations are ongoing; charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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