A Mexican cartel allegedly built a sophisticated underground drug highway into San Diego, complete with a rail system, to smuggle millions of dollars in cocaine across the US border.
Now the alleged mastermind is facing federal charges.
Luis Manuel Hernandez Victoria, known as “El Ingeniero” (The Engineer), is accused of designing and constructing the tunnel for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a Mexican syndicate designated by the US government as a foreign terrorist organization.
“Hernandez engineered his own downfall,” said US Attorney Adam Gordon.
Authorities discovered the passage May 29, 2026, beneath a Buy 4 Less, a retail store at 2498 Roll Drive, Suite E, near San Diego’s Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Federal agents seized more than one ton of cocaine worth an estimated $45 million.
The underground route stretched approximately 1,933 feet from Tijuana into San Diego, reaching 55 feet below ground. Reinforced walls, electricity, ventilation and a rail system equipped the passage, which stood just 4.5 feet tall.
A federal grand jury has charged Hernandez with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiring to construct or finance a cross-border tunnel, conspiring to use the passage to import controlled substances and conspiracy to import controlled substances.
Hernandez was arrested in Mexico’s Jalisco state on Oct. 15, according to public reports. Mexican authorities seized weapons and narcotics during the arrest.
He is the seventh person charged in connection with the tunnel, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The CJNG received its foreign terrorist organization designation on Feb. 20, 2025. Prosecutors allege Hernandez constructed the passage for the cartel’s benefit.
In a separate operation, Mexican federal authorities and the Mexican navy uncovered another suspected smuggling tunnel in Tijuana’s Nueva Tijuana neighborhood.
The wood-lined passage measured approximately 869 feet long and sat about 21 feet underground.
Officers also seized ammunition, cellphones, bank cards, a digital video recorder and dozens of doses of meth.
Hernandez faces prosecution over the alleged $45 million smuggling operation.
The charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
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