Drug tunnel 2,000 foot long linking Mexico to California uncovered
A sophisticated 2,000 foot (610-meter) drug tunnel linking Mexico and California has been uncovered by U.S. authorities, leading to the seizure of $45 million (€38.8 million) worth of cocaine and four arrests.
Equipped with electricity, ventilation and a rail system, the tunnel connected to a warehouse near San Diego. Officials called it a major blow to cartel operations.
Experts say such tunnels can move large volumes undetected, though single seizures have limited impact on the broader drug trade.
DW discussed this with Sanho Tree, Director of the Drug Policy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.
Earlier, the United States Justice Department had charged the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state and nine other officials for their alleged involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel.
The Justice Department claimed that Ruben Rocha Moya and others conspired with leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel to import massive quantities of narcotics into the US in exchange for political support and bribes.
The nine others include current and former Mexican officials, some of whom have been accused of having participated in the cartel’s campaign of violence.
The indictment marks a rare move against sitting Mexican politicians and an expansion of Washington’s anti-cartel efforts, which is likely to increase tensions between the neighboring countries.
The charges against Moya are especially a problem for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as they are from the same ruling Morena party. Moya is also an ally of Sheinbaum’s predecessor and mentor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“Let these charges send a clear message to all officials around the globe who work with narco-traffickers: no matter your title or position, we are committed to bringing you to justice,” US Attorney Jay Clayton said in the statement announcing the indictment, dw.com reports.
The charges come after the US ambassador to Mexico last week promised action on combating corruption in Mexico.
