4 Charged in Connection With Cross-Border Tunnel Into Fake California Store

A border patrol agent inspects a man-made tunnel used to smuggle drugs under the U.S. border, in this file photo. Josh Denmark/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

SAN DIEGO—A nearly 2,000-foot-long tunnel stretching from Tijuana to Otay Mesa was recently discovered by law enforcement officials, leading to federal drug distribution charges announced on June 1 against four people.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the tunnel led into a fake store in Otay Mesa called “Buy 4 Less,” which investigators have been surveilling since December “due to suspicious activity.”