Cartels Used Threats to Keep Border Tunnel Secret

Seth Hettena
Associated Press
Contra Costa Times
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San Diego, California (US):
Those associated with the longest and one of the most sophisticated tunnels ever discovered along the U.S.-Mexico border may be in grave danger, U.S. officials said Friday.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it had received intelligence that the Mexican drug cartel behind the tunnel had threatened the lives of people who had used it or were involved the passageway's design or construction.
The agency appealed to those whose lives were at risk to seek out U.S. officials at Mexican border crossings and pledged to do everything possible to protect them.More than 2 tons of marijuana were found inside the tunnel discovered this week.
As deep as 90 feet below the surface, authorities found a tunnel floor lined with cement, lights that ran down one of the hard soil walls, a groundwater pump and pipes that circulated fresh air, he said. An adult could stand in the 5-foot-high shaft.
Jan 28, 2006