Federal agents arrested four people in connection with a cross-border underground tunnel that was used by Mexican cartel runners to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday evening they seized 3,000 pounds of marijuana in the sting operation.
The 400-yard-long tunnel stretched from El Sarape restaurant in Mexicali, Mexico to Calexico, Calif, a town of about 40,000 people, according to the U.S. Attorney General’s Office for southern California.
Federal prosecutors said the government started monitoring the California house in December due to suspicion it would be used for that purpose. The last time a smuggling tunnel was found in Calexico was 10 years earlier.
Investigators first seized 1,350 pounds of marijuana two weeks ago, but apprehended the four suspects Wednesday when they seized an additional 1,532 pounds of pot that had been transported north through the tunnel.
The four suspects, two men and two women, are being charged with conspiracy to import and distribute marijuana.