We're chasing down investigative leads throughout San Diego and Southern California. At the same time, we're working cooperatively with DEA and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and Mexican authorities in Mexico in the Tijuana area. They're also running down leads.
They could have been digging this for years, just looking for a place to come up.
The tunnel is absolutely amazing. It is probably the biggest tunnel on the southern border so far.
It was like being in a cavern or a cave.
What is key to the investigation is how long the U.S. exit has existed.
This is like being in a really big, long mine shaft. It's really just carved right into the earth.
We're hoping it has a snowball effect in that it leads to more arrests, or more investigative leads that we are pursuing.
Given the sophistication of this tunnel, it's clear that the people responsible have significant resources at their disposal.
They didn't know what the air quality or structural integrity might be. Agents had to wade through chest-high water. The first time through was pretty scary.
There is no doubt that an organization like this will take whatever steps necessary to protect their interests, including taking human lives.
