UMVA has learned that a massive cross-border drug smuggling tunnel, stretching from Tijuana, Mexico, to Southern California, has been uncovered by federal authorities, marking a significant victory in the fight against cartel enforcement.
The stunning discovery, made possible by a months-long investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations and its Homeland Security Task Force, resulted in the seizure of over one ton of cocaine worth an estimated $45 million.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the sophisticated tunnel measured approximately 1,933 feet in length, descended roughly 55 feet below ground, and featured reinforced walls, electricity, ventilation systems, rail infrastructure, and a hydraulic lift used to conceal its entrance.
The tunnel, which connected to a warehouse-style retail business called “Buy 4 Less” near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, was discovered to be part of a larger operation involving four suspects accused of trafficking massive quantities of cocaine through the tunnel network.
The suspects, identified as Gregorio Epifanio Hernandez Lopez, 29, of San Diego; Jose Jimenez, 32, of San Diego; Antonio Cortez, 18, of Mexico; and Brandon Escalante Sandoval, 26, of Mexico, were charged with conspiring to distribute over 1,029 kilograms—over 2,269 pounds—of cocaine into the United States.
Federal prosecutors allege that the defendants were part of a significant operation aimed at disrupting the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that investigators from Homeland Security Investigations Tunnel Task Force maintained regular surveillance on the Buy 4 Less warehouse from December 2025 to May 2026, due to suspicious activity, ultimately leading to the arrest of the four suspects and the seizure of the massive cocaine stash.
The seizure is believed to be a significant blow against the CJNG, and federal authorities are continuing to investigate and dismantle the cartel's operations.
The sophisticated tunnel, equipped with electricity and ventilation, and at some points, up to 4.5 feet tall, was accessed using a hydraulic lift, and its exit point was concealed under the floor of a storage room within the Buy 4 Less store.
The investigation and subsequent seizure demonstrate the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to combat cartel enforcement and disrupt the flow of illicit substances into the United States.
