March 29, 2007

Federal agents investigating two border tunnels found near Otay Mesa port

SAN DIEGO - Two unfinished cross-border tunnels were discovered yesterday morning near the Otay Mesa port of entry by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Both tunnels originated in Mexico in an open area adjacent to the primary border fence. The passageways, located approximately 40 meters apart, were very primitively constructed. The tunnels, which were three feet wide and three feet high, were located approximately five feet beneath the earth's surface. The first tunnel, its Mexican entry point covered by plywood and dirt, extended about five feet into the United States. The second tunnel extended approximately two feet into the United States and was partially filled with water.

The ongoing investigation into the tunnels is being coordinated by the San Diego Tunnel Task force, composed of ICE, CBP Border Patrol, DEA and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement. Law enforcement officials from Mexico are also assisting in the investigation.

"Quick action by the Task Force ensured that neither of these tunnels could be utilized," said Michael Carney, acting special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in San Diego. "If passages like these go undetected, they pose a potential threat to our nation's security. ICE is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to dismantle these tunnels and the criminal organizations behind them."

No arrests have yet been made in the case, but the investigation is ongoing.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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