US Border Patrol agents have discovered a mysterious tunnel stretching nearly 3,000 feet between the United States and Mexico, and it has been indicated that there's a dark purpose behind its creation and use.
Elon Musk has dominated much of the tunnel construction across the United States in recent years with Hyperloop development, and there have even been proposed $20 trillion underground routes that would take you from America to the United Kingdom in record time.
However, a slightly less sophisticated yet perhaps just as effective underground pathway has been discovered by officials in California, and it stretches nearly 3,000 feet (914 meters) into Mexican soil.
Where was the tunnel discovered?
As reported by the Daily Mail, US Customs and Border Protection agents have now discovered and disabled the lengthly tunnel, which routed passengers from Tijuana to San Diego completely underground.
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The tunnel itself stretched around 1,000 ft into the United States, and was projected to emerge near or within a warehouse in Otay Mesa, California. It was discovered by Border Patrol agents while it was actively under construction, and it was complete with electrical wiring, lighting, ventilation systems, and even a track system to transport goods.
What was the tunnel used for?
It has been alleged that the tunnel was used to smuggle drugs and other contraband goods, and Mexican authorities have served a warrant at the entrance of the tunnel in the Nueva Tijuana neighborhood in Mexico, where it began inside a residence.
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"As we continue to strengthen the nation's air, and maritime border security, it's not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes," outlined Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Customs and Border Protection's San Diego Sector, in a statement.
"Disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives," Stalnaker continued. "I'm grateful for the exceptional work of the Tunnel Team agents who placed themselves in danger, as well as the cooperation of our Mexican law enforcement partnerts."
The federal law enforcement agency has outlined that there have been more than 95 incidents of tunnels found in the San Diego area alone since 1993, making this particular incident just a part of a wider effort by criminals to move between Mexico and the United States - although the sophisticated nature of its construction and facilities appears to make it somewhat of an outlier.
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Thousands of gallons of concrete will now be poured into the tunnel in order to prevent anyone else from using or salvaging it after it was discovered.