San Diego County, California — Federal authorities have uncovered a sophisticated cross-border tunnel allegedly used to smuggle massive quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the United States, resulting in the seizure of more than a ton of drugs valued at approximately $45 million.
Investigators say the elaborate underground passage was connected to a warehouse operating under the name Buy 4 Less near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, one of the busiest border crossings in Southern California.
Tunnel Stretched Nearly 2,000 Feet Beneath Border
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the tunnel extended approximately 1,933 feet in length, reached depths of about 55 feet underground, and measured roughly 4.5 feet high.
Authorities described the passage as a highly sophisticated smuggling route designed to secretly move narcotics across the international border.
Prosecutors allege the tunnel served as a key transportation channel for cocaine shipments entering Southern California from Mexico.
The discovery adds to a growing list of underground smuggling routes uncovered in the region over the last several decades.
Months of Surveillance Led to Breakthrough
Federal investigators reportedly began monitoring the Buy 4 Less warehouse in December 2025 after observing suspicious activity at the location.
According to authorities, individuals posing as “employees” were frequently seen transporting numerous suitcases from the warehouse to vehicles or carrying them across the border into Mexico.
Investigators noted that the suitcases appeared empty, raising questions about the operation taking place inside the building.
The surveillance continued for several months until agents witnessed activity they believed was directly linked to drug trafficking operations.
Suspicious Vehicle Activity Triggers Investigation
On May 29, 2026, federal agents observed a man loading heavy items into a van that later traveled to the 900 block of Coolidge Avenue.
Authorities then watched as another individual arrived on a bicycle, checked the surrounding area and retrieved a hidden key from the van’s gas cap compartment.
Investigators say the van was then backed up to another vehicle, and several deep freezers were transferred before being loaded with packages.
The man on the bicycle allegedly hid the keys beneath a truck before another individual arrived and drove away with the vehicle.
The unusual sequence of events prompted law enforcement officers to intervene.
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More Than One Ton of Cocaine Seized
Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office conducted traffic stops on multiple vehicles connected to the operation.
K-9 units alerted officers to the presence of narcotics inside the trucks.
Authorities ultimately recovered:
- 173 packages from one truck
- 423 packages from another truck
- 255 packages from a van
Investigators said all the seized packages tested positive for cocaine.
Combined, the operation resulted in the seizure of more than one ton of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $45 million.
Tunnel Exit Discovered and Four Men Charged
Following the traffic stops, federal agents obtained search warrants for both the Coolidge Avenue property and the Buy 4 Less warehouse.
During those searches, investigators located the exit point of the underground tunnel.
Authorities later charged four men in connection with the alleged smuggling operation:
- Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez
- Brandon Escalante Sandoval
- Jose Jimenez
- Antonio Cortez
Hernandez Lopez faces charges including Conspiracy to Use a Cross-Border Tunnel and Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances, while all four defendants have been charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances.
According to the Department of Justice, 99 underground tunnels have been discovered in Southern California since 1993, with 28 classified as sophisticated smuggling passages.
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