Federal officials have started sealing up the most sophisticated cross border tunnel ever discovered along the U-S Mexico border. KPBS Reporter Erik Anderson has details.
A federal contractor dug a hole into the top of the tunnel and poured in $15,000 worth of cement. The 2,400-foot tunnel is the longest cross border passageway ever discovered by federal officials. A San Diego warehouse hid one opening while another warehouse near the Tijuana airport hid the other end. Federal officials say it was used for human and drug smuggling.
Department of Homeland Security officials say they'll put cement in the entire portion of the tunnel that's north of the border. They say that'll keep smugglers from using the underground passage for other tunnels. It will also keep nearby streets from collapsing. The project will cost about $2 million.
Discovery of the tunnel in January prompted Congress to pass legislation making the construction of cross border tunnels a felony. Erik Anderson KPBS News.
