Drug tunnel used more than 6 months

SAN LUIS RIO COLORADO, Son. — A half-block from the Mexican port of entry and a few feet from the border is where authorities discovered a tunnel that crosses into a commercial facility in San Luis, Ariz.

About 755 feet long and 60 feet deep, the tunnel would have been used for more than six months to smuggle drugs northbound and weapons and cash southbound, said Gen. Raul Guereca Valenzuela, head of the local military station, during a briefing with media representatives.

Finding the tunnel was possible thanks to binational coordination between authorities. At this point of the investigation, no arrests have been made, he added.

Inside a downtown commercial property named Ice Land on Morelos Street between Calles Obregon and Carlos G is where the tunnel was located. It was equipped with electricity and a ventilation system, and special vehicles allegedly used to transport the merchandise were found inside the building.

The tunnel is 4.25 feet high and 1 meter wide. The sand removed during construction was stored in a room inside the property.

At about 8 a.m. Saturday, military and police personnel sealed the surrounding area to enter the property.

A truck with Baja California license plates was confiscated.

According to the advertising on the building, the ice-selling business was about to open its doors.

The property is guarded by military personnel while federal police continue their investigation.