Honduran Man Allegedly Used Underwater Tunnel To Smuggle Cocaine Into The U.S

A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to smuggling cocaine from Mexico into the U.S. through an elaborately constructed underwater drug tunnel.

Evelio Padilla-Zepeda admitted to putting on a wetsuit and scuba gear and smuggling 55 pounds of cocaine -- street value of $1.75 million -- through the drug tunnel located in the Calexico area.
According to federal officials, on April 25, Padilla-Zepeda -- wearing a wetsuit and soaking wet -- was spotted by Border Patrol agents near the All-American Canal. Agents searched the area and found 25 vacuum-sealed, weighted and gift-wrapped packages of cocaine. Two scuba tanks and diving gear, including two rebreather tanks, were also discovered.
A thorough search by agents led to the discovery of an underground tunnel from Mexicali, Mexico, that continued under the U.S.-Mexico border and ended at the south bank of the canal. The canal's exit point was partially submerged by water and covered by rocks that could be moved.

He faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Source: 10news.com