Key facts
- A 1,933-foot-long drug smuggling tunnel was discovered connecting Mexico to San Diego.
- The tunnel was found beneath a fake retail store called 'Buy 4 Less'.
- Over a ton of cocaine, valued at $45 million, was seized.
- Four suspects have been charged with drug distribution and trafficking.
- The tunnel featured a hydraulic lift, ventilation, and electricity.
Federal authorities have charged four suspects in connection with a massive, 1,933-foot-long underground tunnel discovered beneath a fake retail store, 'Buy 4 Less,' in San Diego County, California. The tunnel, which extended into Tijuana, Mexico, was used to smuggle over a ton of cocaine valued at approximately $45 million. The investigation, initiated in late December 2025 after suspicious activity was noted at the warehouse, involved surveillance and traffic stops that led to the seizure of 851 packages of cocaine. The tunnel itself is described as being up to 4.5 feet tall, 55 feet deep, and equipped with a sophisticated hydraulic lift, ventilation system, and electricity. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated this is one of 99 such tunnels discovered in the Southern District of California since 1993 and the first since 2022. The bust is considered a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations. The charged individuals include Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez, Brandon Escalante Sandoval, Jose Jimenez, and Antonio Cortez.