Federal prosecutors say a Mexican cartel constructed an elaborate underground smuggling corridor leading into San Diego, complete with its own rail system, to move millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine into the United States.
The alleged architect of the tunnel is now facing federal charges.
Luis Manuel Hernandez Victoria, who is known by the nickname “El Ingeniero,” or “The Engineer,” allegedly designed and built the passage for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, commonly known as CJNG. The cartel was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US government in 2025.
“Hernandez engineered his own downfall,” US Attorney Adam Gordon said.
Authorities located the tunnel on May 29, 2026, beneath a Buy 4 Less store at 2498 Roll Drive, Suite E, near San Diego’s Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Agents reportedly recovered more than a ton of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $45 million.
The passage ran roughly 1,933 feet from Tijuana into San Diego and reached a depth of about 55 feet. Though only 4.5 feet high, it featured reinforced walls, electrical power, ventilation and a rail system designed to move loads through the underground route.
A federal grand jury indicted Hernandez on charges including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiring to build or finance an international border tunnel, conspiring to use the tunnel to import controlled substances and conspiracy to import controlled substances.
Public reports said Hernandez was arrested in Mexico’s Jalisco state on Oct. 15. Mexican authorities allegedly found weapons and narcotics during the operation.
He is the seventh individual charged in connection with the tunnel case. The investigation is continuing.
CJNG was formally designated a foreign terrorist organization on Feb. 20, 2025. Prosecutors claim Hernandez built the passage specifically to serve the cartel’s drug-trafficking operation.
Separately, Mexican federal officials and navy personnel discovered another suspected smuggling tunnel in Tijuana’s Nueva Tijuana neighborhood.
The wood-reinforced passage extended approximately 869 feet and was located about 21 feet below the surface.
Authorities also reported seizing ammunition, cellphones, bank cards, a digital video recorder and dozens of methamphetamine doses.
Hernandez now faces prosecution in connection with the alleged $45 million cocaine-smuggling scheme.
All of the charges are accusations, and Hernandez is presumed innocent unless convicted in court.
