Beneath the U.S.-Mexico border lies a vast network of sophisticated tunnels used by cartels to evade border security. One notable discovery near San Diego revealed a nearly 3,000-foot tunnel stretching from Tijuana to Otay Mesa, California, built 50 feet underground with advanced engineering.

Measuring 42 inches high and 28 inches wide, the tunnel was designed to move people and drugs efficiently while avoiding detection. It featured electricity, lighting, ventilation, and even a rail system—signs of a highly organized operation. Its entrance was cleverly concealed beneath fresh tile flooring.

Authorities link the tunnel to the Sinaloa Cartel, which continues its smuggling efforts despite the imprisonment of leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Since 1993, over 95 tunnels have been found in the San Diego area alone.

Similar tunnels have been discovered in El Paso, used for both drug trafficking and human smuggling. Migrants reportedly paid up to $20,000 to cross, facing dangerous conditions like poor ventilation and risk of collapse.

Law enforcement stresses that cooperation with Mexico is vital, but cartels keep adapting. These tunnels highlight the growing challenges of border security, where threats lie deep underground and require innovative responses.