thailandedition
Smuggler Tunnel Found: 600m US-Mexico, Under Store

Smuggler Tunnel Found: 600m US-Mexico, Under Store

Matichon•International•21d ago

Reader Briefing

A sophisticated tunnel spanning over 2,000 feet, used for drug smuggling between Mexico and California, has been discovered by US authorities operating beneath a retail store.

  • •US federal authorities discovered a complex tunnel, over 2,000 feet long, connecting Mexico and California.
  • •The tunnel was found concealed beneath a discount retail store named Buy 4 Less in San Diego, California.
  • •Four individuals have been arrested and charged with smuggling cocaine valued at over $45 million.
  • •The tunnel featured electrical systems, reinforced walls, ventilation, and a rail system.

Overview

  • •On May 3, CBS News reported that US federal authorities arrested four individuals.
  • •The investigation into the Buy 4 Less store began in December 2025 after federal agents observed unusual activity involving new employees.
  • •Federal agents discovered the sophisticated tunnel between the Mexican border and California, extending over 2,000 feet.
  • •Over one ton of cocaine with an estimated value of over $45 million was seized.
  • •The tunnel was found to be equipped with electrical systems, reinforced walls, ventilation, and a rail system.
  • •Four individuals, Gregorio Epifanio Hernández López, Jose Jimenez, Antonio Cortez, and Brandon Escalante Sandoval, were arrested and charged.
  • •The apprehended individuals face potential life sentences if convicted.
  • •HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge stated the seizure is a major blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Adam Gordon
"For these defendants, it wasn't the light at the end of the tunnel, but the flashing lights and sirens."
สำหรับจำเลยเหล่านี้ มันไม่ใช่แสงสว่างที่ปลายอุโมงค์ แต่มันคือแสงไฟและเสียงไซเรน
Kevin Murphy
"This investigation and seizure represent a significant blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel."
การสืบสวนและยึดของกลางครั้งนี้ถือเป็นความเสียหายอย่างใหญ่หลวงต่อแก๊งค้ายาเสพติดจาลิสโก นิว เจเนอเรชั่น คาร์เทล

Key Entities

Organization

CBS News(ซีบีเอส นิวส์)ℹ️
A news organization that reported on the discovery of the smuggling tunnel.
US Department of Justice(กระทรวงยุติธรรมสหรัฐ)ℹ️
The US government department that announced the discovery and charges related to the smuggling tunnel.
Buy 4 Less
A discount retail store located in San Diego, California, beneath which a drug smuggling tunnel was discovered.
US Department of Homeland Security(กระทรวงความมั่นคงแห่งมาตุภูมิสหรัฐ)ℹ️
The US government department whose investigative task force began monitoring the Buy 4 Less store.
Tunnel Investigations Task Force(หน่วยเฉพาะกิจสืบสวนคดีอุโมงค์)
A task force within the US Department of Homeland Security that investigated suspicious activity at the Buy 4 Less store, leading to the discovery of the tunnel.
HSI San Diego(HSI ซานดิเอโก)
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego, which was involved in the investigation and seizure related to the smuggling tunnel.
Jalisco New Generation Cartel(แก๊งค้ายาเสพติดจาลิสโก นิว เจเนอเรชั่น คาร์เทล)ℹ️
A drug cartel that suffered a significant blow due to the discovery and seizure of the smuggling tunnel and cocaine.
National Security Task Force(หน่วยเฉพาะกิจความมั่นคงแห่งชาติ)
An allied task force that collaborated with the US investigative agencies in the operation to discover and dismantle the cross-border tunnel.

Person

Adam Gordon(อดัม กอร์ดอน)
A prosecutor who made a statement regarding the defendants caught in relation to the smuggling tunnel.
Gregorio Epifanio Hernández López(เกรกรอริโอ เอปิฟานิโอ เอร์นันเดซ โลเปซ)
A 29-year-old individual from San Diego arrested and charged in connection with the drug smuggling tunnel and cocaine.
Jose Jimenez(โฮเซ ฮิเมเนซ)
A 32-year-old individual from San Diego arrested and charged in connection with the drug smuggling tunnel and cocaine.
Antonio Cortez(อันโตนิโอ คอร์เตซ)
An 18-year-old individual from Mexico arrested and charged in connection with the drug smuggling tunnel and cocaine.
Brandon Escalante Sandoval(แบรนดอน เอสคาลันเต ซานโดวัล)
A 26-year-old individual arrested and charged in connection with the drug smuggling tunnel and cocaine.
Kevin Murphy(เควิน เมอร์ฟี)
Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego, who commented on the impact of the drug seizure on cartels.

Place

Otay Mesa(โอตา เมซา)ℹ️
The location of a US port of entry near San Diego, California, close to where the drug smuggling tunnel was found.
San Diego(ซานดิเอโก)ℹ️
A city in California, USA, where the drug smuggling tunnel was discovered.
Tijuana(ติฮัวนา)ℹ️
A city in Mexico, directly across the border from San Diego, California, connected by the discovered smuggling tunnel.

Law

Cocaine(โคเคน)ℹ️
The illegal drug valued at over $45 million that was being smuggled through the discovered tunnel.

Timeline

May 29(29 พฤษภาคม)
The date when federal agents claimed to observe large, heavy items being loaded into a white van at the Buy 4 Less store, prompting closer surveillance.
June 3(3 มิถุนายน)
The date when CBS News reported on the discovery of the smuggling tunnel and the subsequent arrests.