--- title: The Most Incredible Drug Smuggling Tunnels Ever Discovered description: "Human history is basically one long story of people creating borders, and then subsequently fighting over those borders. On the other hand, history is also a story of others, normally those with fewer guns, going to great lengths to get across borders, be it by going over, around or through the fences, walls and guard stations.\n\nOf course, the harder the wall-makers have tried to keep people out, erecting ever more elaborate boundaries, those that have wanted to pass through have come up with new ways to infiltrate, generally turning to the paths of least resistance. Thus, smuggling tunnels have always been popular, and are perhaps more popular today than they've ever been.\n\nFrom those exceeding a kilometre in length between Mexico and the US, to entire towns crisscrossed with countless tunnels in the UK, these are some of the most incredible smuggling tunnels around the world.\n\n## The United States Record Holder\n\nThe longest drug smuggling tunnel in history was officially discovered in mid-2019, coming courtesy of none other than Joaquin \"El Chapo\" Guzman's Sinaloa cartel. The famed leader is serving life imprisonment, but his cartel continues to operate without him, pouring tens of millions of dollars into elaborate, professionally made drug smuggling tunnels.\n\nAs with most drug tunnels, or 'narcotunnels' in the US, this one originated in Tijuana and exited out into San Diego, California. What made this particular tunnel stand apart is that it stretched a staggering 1,313 meters (4,309 feet) making it the longest so far in the US, and probably the world. The underground structure was so elaborate that it incorporated a lift, drainage system, air ventilation system, and high voltage electrical cables. Interestingly, no drugs were found and no arrests were made, suggesting that the cartel was aware authorities were closing in and abandoned the operation.\n\nAs impressive as the record holding Sinaloa cartel tunnel is, it's only scratching the surface of the frankly staggering number of underground smuggling operations between Mexico and the US. Between 1990 and 2015 a grand total of 183 tunnels were discovered, the majority of which were between Tijuana and San Diego. Dozens more have been discovered since 2015, putting the up-to-date total at somewhere over 200. The tunnels vary drastically in terms of length and sophistication, but needless to say the most elaborate are downright impressive, potentially requiring over a year of dedicated excavation from countless skilled workers.\n\nPerhaps most interesting is that the number of tunnels has increased dramatically in recent years, and part of the cause can be traced directly to the September 11th attacks. Drug trafficking had been almost exclusively through border checkpoints prior to 9/11, but with the increase in border security following the attacks drug traffickers were forced to change tactics. Simply put, rather than risk facing the increased security at land borders it became easier to build underground tunnels.\n\nOf course, it wasn't long before United States authorities caught on to smugglers' new tunnelling tactics, though it would have been rather difficult for them to ignore the sudden increase in tell-tale sinkholes appearing near the border. Rapidly adapting to the new form of border breaching, US authorities greenlit a specialised team known as the Tunnel Task Force. The Tunnel Task Force is now a permanent division of United States Border Control, primarily operating at the border between Tijuana and San Diego. The team works in conjunction with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the US Border Patrol Task Force.\n\nThe first report of the Tunnel Task Force succeeding using radar based tunnel detection technology seems to come from 2006, with the team assisting in the identification of a 1,148 meter (3,766 foot) long tunnel originating in a warehouse in Tijuana and exiting into Otay Mesa, California. Two tons of marijuana was discovered at the time and several arrests were made in Mexico. In this case, the tunnel was suspected to be the work of the Arellano-Felix drug syndicate.\n\nSo, with all of this being said, confirmation that a specialised team is working on the problem and so many reports of narcotunnels being found and closed, you'd assume that the problem is well in hand. But no, the Mexican drug cartels are nothing if not a prime example that the mythical Hydra is alive and well. As one tunnel is closed it seems to simply be replaced by two more, with the frequency of tunnels only seeming to increase with each passing year.\n\nA pair of tunnels, also believed to be the work of the Sinaloa cartel, were uncovered in November 2010, one coming in at 790 meters (2,600 feet) long. The tunnel also lay between Tijuana and San Diego, California, and was also surprisingly elaborate, including reinforced walls and cemented floors. Around 36,000 kgs of marijuana was confiscated between these two tunnels, making this one of the biggest busts ever linked to underground smuggling.\n\nA three-foot diameter, 90 meter (295 foot) long tunnel was discovered in Arizona in 2012. Another was found nearby in February 2014. This second narcotunnel was 147 meters (481 feet) long and led to the confiscation of 270 kgs of marijuana near the exit points, as well as another 21 kgs of marijuana and a kg of heroin inside the tunnel.\n\nMore Tijuana to San Diego tunnels were discovered in 2020 and 2022. The 2020 tunnel was another whopper, coming in at 610 meters (2,000 feet) and included a functional rail system. 590 kgs of cocaine, 36 kgs of methamphetamine, 7.7 kgs of heroin, 1,400 kgs of marijuana and just under a kg of fentanyl was seized.\n\nThe most recently discovered Mexico to US narcotunnel was in 2022; a 650 meter (2,100 foot) tunnel also featuring a rail system and uncovered with 799 kgs of cocaine, 75 kgs of meth and 1.6 kgs of heroin.\n\nAt this point you have to ask yourself if repeatedly cutting off the Hydra's heads is the solution to this problem, or if perhaps US Border Control can come up with some new, innovative way to deal with border security. Like, for example, utilising strategic attack bees; more on that later.\n\n## The Solitary Canada/US Drug Tunnel\n\nWhile the southern border of the United States fights a seemingly endless battle against respawning narcotunnels, the northern border is a bit less busy in the smuggling department. In fact, in the entire history of the United States and Canada only a single drug smuggling tunnel has ever been uncovered. It also wasn't a very active tunnel, given that authorities were pretty much aware of the whole operation from the beginning, and even politely let the smugglers finish digging before arresting everyone involved. Rather rude.\n\nIn 2005 an ambitious group built an elaborate tunnel from a greenhouse in Langley, British Columbia, to a living room in Lynden, Washington. The work done was incredibly professional and diligent, demonstrating an outstanding knowledge of subterranean structures that surpasses even the best efforts between Mexico and the US. The tunnel ran a total of 109 meters (360 feet) under a highway, was anywhere between one meter and three meters (3–10 feet) below ground, and incorporated wooden support slats for the walls, reinforced metal ceiling beams, ventilation and lighting. Authorities report that the tunnel took over a year to finish and confirm that the intention of the smugglers was to safely transport marijuana between Canada and the United States.\n\nReally, with all that effort and nothing more sinister than high grade marijuana being smuggled, it's a little difficult to not feel a touch of sympathy for the group of British Columbia based smugglers. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit didn't see it that way, of course, and Francis Devandra Raj, Timothy Woo, and Johnathan Valenzuela were arrested not long after finishing their first delivery.\n\nAs far as how the drug smuggling trio were detected, well, as professional as they were in making a structurally sound underground tunnel, they didn't seem to have much of a clue when it came to staying covert. It turns out that building an elaborate tunnel requires the transportation of timber and support beams into a location, and the transportation of mountains of earth in the opposite direction. All this was, unfortunately, taking place in a small greenhouse hut, and it wasn't long before someone found the endless train of activity suspicious. Someone caught on, tipped off the authorities, and ultimately doomed the trio months before they even finished.\n\nKim Scoville, director of Canada's Border Services Agency said: \"We saw lumber going in and soil coming out. Combined with the location of the building and its proximity to the border, it wasn't difficult to come to the conclusion that likely a tunnel was being constructed.\"\n\nEmbarrassingly for the smugglers the entire last six months of the operation had been closely monitored by the CFSEU. In fact, law enforcement even bugged the exit house in Lynden, Washington, as well as the tunnel itself with video and audio equipment. Operators then simply sat back and watched the last months of construction before swooping in. Though, drawing out the arrest wasn't just sadism on the part of law enforcement, it was simply better for authorities to let the smugglers make their first delivery, thereby allowing an arrest to be made on charges of drug smuggling rather than random tunnel building.\n\nUS Attorney John McKay said: \"The presence of a tunnel on our northern border threatens the security of countries, whether it is used to smuggle drugs, contraband or even terrorists.\" He finished with a sick law enforcement burn: \"They were smart enough to build a sophisticated tunnel. They weren't smart enough to not get caught.\"\n\nAlso arrested in connection with the tunnel were two US citizens that were detained after the initial delivery. This included a Twin Falls, Idaho woman caught with 42 kgs (93 pounds) of marijuana, and a man on Interstate 90 with 49 kgs (110 pounds) of marijuana.\n\nThe masterminds, Raj, Woo and Valenzuela were prosecuted federally in the United States on charges of illegal drug transportation and their tunnel was destroyed. There is currently no movie about this trio and their tunnel, and we put forward to the movie making community that there perhaps should be.\n\n## The Bangladesh/India Border Tunnels (And The Strategic Attack Bees)\n\nA similar situation to the Mexico/US border debacle is unfolding between India and Bangladesh. The 4,096 km fence line between the two countries has been largely unsecure and easy to cross for decades, having many remote, unmonitored areas that allow infiltrators to simply walk across. But in more recent years the Indian Border Security Force has been stepping up efforts. Many of the gaps are being gradually closed and innovative new methods are being deployed to keep borders safe. But, as in the US, the increased border security has resulted in a notable increase in smuggling tunnels.\n\nThe India/Bangladesh smuggling tunnels are hardly as elaborate as those between Mexico and America, but their presence is still proving to be a growing nuisance, helping cattle smugglers, drug smugglers, and kidnappers wreak havoc on the bordering villages of each region. The longest discovered so far is an 80 meter (262 feet) long tunnel in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal. The tunnel appeared soon after the completion of fencing in that region and was used primarily for the smuggling of labourers and cough syrup. A BSF operative reported: \"Vigil has been tightened along the international border. Hence, the smugglers have taken to building this tunnel to smuggle labourers from Bangladesh to India and addictive cough syrups from India to Bangladesh. As alcohol is banned in the neighbouring country, cough syrup addiction is high which is smuggled from India.\"\n\n2021 saw a story unfold involving a man named Dilwar Hossain who was apparently kidnapped and taken through an expanded 200 meter drainage tunnel located in Karimganj, Bangladesh. His kidnappers allegedly called Hossain's family and demanded 500,000 Indian Rupees for his release, about six thousand US dollars.\n\nPolice arrested a man they believed linked to the kidnapping in a nearby village, and after applying pressure managed to secure the release of Hossain. Once returned, Hossain guided police to a location in a remote, wooded area, explaining that the tunnel was used for various criminal activities including smuggling and kidnapping. He elaborated that, to his knowledge, there are at least another 60 similar breaches along the India/Bangladesh border.\n\nSo, with the BSF already facing a monumental task keeping the above ground borders safe, plus now having to deal with a subterranean threat, the Indian government has turned to a rather innovative new solution. It was announced recently that the BSF plans to install a vast network of beehives at strategic locations on the border, thus making it difficult for drug and cattle smugglers to pass without triggering a mass stinging attack. With the attack bees making land borders more secure, the BSF will then hopefully be free to focus on the tunnel situation.\n\nAttack bees may sound like a rather farfetched idea, but the plan really has been well thought out. The project has been launched in the Nadia District in West Bengal with the cooperation of the local populace. The beehives are being installed near flowering plants and locals are planting additional gardens such as tulsi, ekangi, satmuli, ashwagandha and aloe vera. So, in conjunction with the honey produced by the bees, the herbs will likewise allow locals to generate income as they incorporate warrior bee colonies into their livelihoods.\n\nAs far as the India/Bangladesh border itself is concerned, it was expected that the final sections of the fence would be completed this year, but that seems unlikely. Due to various complications including land acquisitions and the relocation of villages, completion of the border fences has seen delay after delay. Areas that still lack border security include Malda, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Karimganj, and West Jaintia Hills.\n\n## The Robin Hood's Bay Smuggling Network\n\nThis last one is a bit of a cheat given that Robin Hood's Bay doesn't feature a single tunnel, but rather is itself a vast, interconnected network of countless smuggling tunnels, including one that reportedly ran from within the village out onto nearby marsh.\n\nLocated in the North York Moors National Park, sitting between Whitby and Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay is now not much more than a tourist attraction. But go back to the 18th century and this little fishing village was key in an elaborate smuggler's network that spanned the entire North East Coast of the United Kingdom. It's said that, back in the day, contraband could arrive in Robin Hood's Bay, be unloaded from a boat, and make it the entire way through the village and out onto the cliffs without ever seeing daylight.\n\nYou can still access part of one of these smuggling routes today by entering King's Beck Tunnel located beneath Bay Hotel. The tunnel was originally for drainage, but if you take a side passage you'll find yourself beneath the floorboards of a nearby property. Smugglers once passed contraband up into this building by hand where it was quickly squirreled away from prying eyes, or passed on to another link in the smugglers network. It's believed that dozens or even hundreds of similar smuggling routes existed in the bay in the 18th century, though most are now boarded up or have simply been lost.\n\nAs far as the name Robin Hood's Bay is concerned, you'll be disappointed to learn that there is no evidence that the Sherwood Forest legend ever resided in or even visited the village. This isn't surprising given that Robin Hood himself likely didn't exist, other than in folktales and imagination. What is clear, however, is that Robin Hood's Bay is not only incredibly old, dating back 3,000 years, but has virtually always acted as a key location in smuggling and piracy.\n\nLouis Count of Flanders mentions 'Robin Oode Bay' in a letter as he begs for the return of his pirate ship, a reference dating back to between 1322 and 1346.\n\nBut why exactly is it about this little village that made it such a smugglers hotspot? Well, above all else smugglers prize an isolated, protected location that is as easy to access by sea as possible, but as difficult to approach by land. Robin Hood's Bay is such a location, allowing easy approach by sea but being flanked on three sides by treacherous marshes. Even still, it wasn't until the 18th century that the local smuggling business really kicked into high gear.\n\nAt that time the United Kingdom was locked in war with Europe and as we all know wars are rather expensive. Taxes were imposed on luxury goods to cover costs, resulting in items like tobacco, gin and silk suddenly falling out of reach of the average person. Thus smugglers quickly jumped on the opportunity. They recognised Robin Hood's Bay as an existing smuggling network, facilitated the flow of luxury goods and tapped into established black market routes.\n\nIf you're wondering why the villagers in Robin Hood's Bay didn't step up and alert authorities, it's because virtually all of them were part of the smuggling network. It seems that throughout history the bay residents have always been keen to step up and offer a helping hand, so much so that the village thrived due to illicit income. It's important to keep in mind, though, that in the UK smugglers were the ones providing cheap goods, making them the heroes in the eyes of the public. Hence, Robin Hood's Bay really did live up to its name.\n\nThe bay thrived throughout the 18th century, grew rapidly and became widely known as the place to go for cheap goods and good times. The village all but turned into a tourist hotspot by the 19th century and has, more or less, remained that way to this day. Of course, you won't be getting access to cheap drugs or other imported goods there these days, but you can enjoy the Robin Hood's Bay Smuggling Tour.\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- The longest drug smuggling tunnel, discovered in 2019, stretched 1,313 meters between Tijuana and San Diego.\n- Increased border security post-9/11 led to a surge in underground smuggling tunnels between Mexico and the US.\n- The US Border Patrol's Tunnel Task Force uses radar technology to detect and dismantle smuggling tunnels.\n- Robin Hood's Bay in the UK was historically a key location for smuggling, with numerous interconnected tunnels.\n- India is deploying beehives along the Bangladesh border to deter smugglers, leveraging bees as a security measure.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### What is the longest drug smuggling tunnel ever discovered?\n\nThe longest drug smuggling tunnel ever discovered was found in mid-2019, stretching 1,313 meters (4,309 feet) between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. It was built by the Sinaloa cartel and included a lift, drainage system, air ventilation system, and high voltage electrical cables.\n\n### How many drug smuggling tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the US?\n\nBetween 1990 and 2015, a total of 183 tunnels were discovered. Since 2015, dozens more have been found, bringing the total to over 200.\n\n### Why did the number of drug smuggling tunnels increase after the September 11th attacks?\n\nThe increase in border security following the September 11th attacks made it more difficult to smuggle drugs through border checkpoints, leading traffickers to build underground tunnels as an alternative.\n\n### What is the Tunnel Task Force?\n\nThe Tunnel Task Force is a specialized team within U.S. Border Control that focuses on detecting and dismantling drug smuggling tunnels, primarily operating at the border between Tijuana and San Diego.\n\n### What was the significance of the tunnel discovered in 2005 between Canada and the US?\n\nThe tunnel discovered in 2005 between Langley, British Columbia, and Lynden, Washington, was the first and only drug smuggling tunnel ever found between the US and Canada. It was highly sophisticated but was detected due to suspicious activity involving the transportation of materials.\n\n### What innovative method is being used to secure the India/Bangladesh border?\n\nThe Indian Border Security Force is installing a network of beehives at strategic locations along the border. The bees are intended to deter smugglers by swarming and stinging them, making it difficult for them to pass undetected.\n\n### What is the history of smuggling in Robin Hood's Bay?\n\nRobin Hood's Bay, located in the North York Moors National Park, was a key location in an elaborate smuggling network during the 18th century. The village was known for its extensive network of smuggling tunnels that allowed contraband to be moved without being detected.\n\n### What was the purpose of the tunnel discovered in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal?\n\nThe 80-meter-long tunnel in the Uttar Dinajpur district was used primarily for smuggling laborers and cough syrup, which is highly addictive in Bangladesh due to alcohol bans.\n\n### What was the outcome of the tunnel discovered in November 2010 between Tijuana and San Diego?\n\nThe tunnel discovered in November 2010 was 790 meters long and included reinforced walls and cemented floors. Authorities confiscated around 36,000 kilograms of marijuana, making it one of the biggest busts linked to underground smuggling.\n\n### What was the significance of the tunnel discovered in 2020 between Tijuana and San Diego?\n\nThe 2020 tunnel was 610 meters long and included a functional rail system. Authorities seized 590 kilograms of cocaine, 36 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.7 kilograms of heroin, 1,400 kilograms of marijuana, and nearly a kilogram of fentanyl.\n\n## Sources\n\n- [Original Side Projects video: The Most Incredible Drug Smuggling Tunnels Ever Discovered](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Barud2ClfC0)\n\n## Related Coverage" url: https://sideprojects.pub/article/most-incredible-drug-smuggling-tunnels-ever-discovered.md canonical: https://sideprojects.pub/article/most-incredible-drug-smuggling-tunnels-ever-discovered datePublished: 2026-06-25 dateModified: 2026-06-25 author: - name: Simon Whistler url: https://sideprojects.pub/author/simon-whistler publisher: Side Projects image: "https://media.sideprojects.pub/cdn-cgi/image/width=1600,height=900,fit=cover,quality=80,format=auto/articles/Barud2ClfC0/hero.jpg" type: NewsArticle contentHash: b8ae78fdbd3ee1503012e04fd2d9321be8c7b99b6dc4f6413623072220ab521d tokens: 5523 summaryUrl: https://sideprojects.pub/article/most-incredible-drug-smuggling-tunnels-ever-discovered.md.summary.md --- Human history is basically one long story of people creating borders, and then subsequently fighting over those borders. On the other hand, history is also a story of others, normally those with fewer guns, going to great lengths to get across borders, be it by going over, around or through the fences, walls and guard stations. Of course, the harder the wall-makers have tried to keep people out, erecting ever more elaborate boundaries, those that have wanted to pass through have come up with new ways to infiltrate, generally turning to the paths of least resistance. Thus, smuggling tunnels have always been popular, and are perhaps more popular today than they've ever been. From those exceeding a kilometre in length between Mexico and the US, to entire towns crisscrossed with countless tunnels in the UK, these are some of the most incredible smuggling tunnels around the world. ## The United States Record Holder The longest drug smuggling tunnel in history was officially discovered in mid-2019, coming courtesy of none other than Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's Sinaloa cartel. The famed leader is serving life imprisonment, but his cartel continues to operate without him, pouring tens of millions of dollars into elaborate, professionally made drug smuggling tunnels. As with most drug tunnels, or 'narcotunnels' in the US, this one originated in Tijuana and exited out into San Diego, California. What made this particular tunnel stand apart is that it stretched a staggering 1,313 meters (4,309 feet) making it the longest so far in the US, and probably the world. The underground structure was so elaborate that it incorporated a lift, drainage system, air ventilation system, and high voltage electrical cables. Interestingly, no drugs were found and no arrests were made, suggesting that the cartel was aware authorities were closing in and abandoned the operation. As impressive as the record holding Sinaloa cartel tunnel is, it's only scratching the surface of the frankly staggering number of underground smuggling operations between Mexico and the US. Between 1990 and 2015 a grand total of 183 tunnels were discovered, the majority of which were between Tijuana and San Diego. Dozens more have been discovered since 2015, putting the up-to-date total at somewhere over 200. The tunnels vary drastically in terms of length and sophistication, but needless to say the most elaborate are downright impressive, potentially requiring over a year of dedicated excavation from countless skilled workers. Perhaps most interesting is that the number of tunnels has increased dramatically in recent years, and part of the cause can be traced directly to the September 11th attacks. Drug trafficking had been almost exclusively through border checkpoints prior to 9/11, but with the increase in border security following the attacks drug traffickers were forced to change tactics. Simply put, rather than risk facing the increased security at land borders it became easier to build underground tunnels. Of course, it wasn't long before United States authorities caught on to smugglers' new tunnelling tactics, though it would have been rather difficult for them to ignore the sudden increase in tell-tale sinkholes appearing near the border. Rapidly adapting to the new form of border breaching, US authorities greenlit a specialised team known as the Tunnel Task Force. The Tunnel Task Force is now a permanent division of United States Border Control, primarily operating at the border between Tijuana and San Diego. The team works in conjunction with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the US Border Patrol Task Force. The first report of the Tunnel Task Force succeeding using radar based tunnel detection technology seems to come from 2006, with the team assisting in the identification of a 1,148 meter (3,766 foot) long tunnel originating in a warehouse in Tijuana and exiting into Otay Mesa, California. Two tons of marijuana was discovered at the time and several arrests were made in Mexico. In this case, the tunnel was suspected to be the work of the Arellano-Felix drug syndicate. So, with all of this being said, confirmation that a specialised team is working on the problem and so many reports of narcotunnels being found and closed, you'd assume that the problem is well in hand. But no, the Mexican drug cartels are nothing if not a prime example that the mythical Hydra is alive and well. As one tunnel is closed it seems to simply be replaced by two more, with the frequency of tunnels only seeming to increase with each passing year. A pair of tunnels, also believed to be the work of the Sinaloa cartel, were uncovered in November 2010, one coming in at 790 meters (2,600 feet) long. The tunnel also lay between Tijuana and San Diego, California, and was also surprisingly elaborate, including reinforced walls and cemented floors. Around 36,000 kgs of marijuana was confiscated between these two tunnels, making this one of the biggest busts ever linked to underground smuggling. A three-foot diameter, 90 meter (295 foot) long tunnel was discovered in Arizona in 2012. Another was found nearby in February 2014. This second narcotunnel was 147 meters (481 feet) long and led to the confiscation of 270 kgs of marijuana near the exit points, as well as another 21 kgs of marijuana and a kg of heroin inside the tunnel. More Tijuana to San Diego tunnels were discovered in 2020 and 2022. The 2020 tunnel was another whopper, coming in at 610 meters (2,000 feet) and included a functional rail system. 590 kgs of cocaine, 36 kgs of methamphetamine, 7.7 kgs of heroin, 1,400 kgs of marijuana and just under a kg of fentanyl was seized. The most recently discovered Mexico to US narcotunnel was in 2022; a 650 meter (2,100 foot) tunnel also featuring a rail system and uncovered with 799 kgs of cocaine, 75 kgs of meth and 1.6 kgs of heroin. At this point you have to ask yourself if repeatedly cutting off the Hydra's heads is the solution to this problem, or if perhaps US Border Control can come up with some new, innovative way to deal with border security. Like, for example, utilising strategic attack bees; more on that later. ## The Solitary Canada/US Drug Tunnel While the southern border of the United States fights a seemingly endless battle against respawning narcotunnels, the northern border is a bit less busy in the smuggling department. In fact, in the entire history of the United States and Canada only a single drug smuggling tunnel has ever been uncovered. It also wasn't a very active tunnel, given that authorities were pretty much aware of the whole operation from the beginning, and even politely let the smugglers finish digging before arresting everyone involved. Rather rude. In 2005 an ambitious group built an elaborate tunnel from a greenhouse in Langley, British Columbia, to a living room in Lynden, Washington. The work done was incredibly professional and diligent, demonstrating an outstanding knowledge of subterranean structures that surpasses even the best efforts between Mexico and the US. The tunnel ran a total of 109 meters (360 feet) under a highway, was anywhere between one meter and three meters (3–10 feet) below ground, and incorporated wooden support slats for the walls, reinforced metal ceiling beams, ventilation and lighting. Authorities report that the tunnel took over a year to finish and confirm that the intention of the smugglers was to safely transport marijuana between Canada and the United States. Really, with all that effort and nothing more sinister than high grade marijuana being smuggled, it's a little difficult to not feel a touch of sympathy for the group of British Columbia based smugglers. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit didn't see it that way, of course, and Francis Devandra Raj, Timothy Woo, and Johnathan Valenzuela were arrested not long after finishing their first delivery. As far as how the drug smuggling trio were detected, well, as professional as they were in making a structurally sound underground tunnel, they didn't seem to have much of a clue when it came to staying covert. It turns out that building an elaborate tunnel requires the transportation of timber and support beams into a location, and the transportation of mountains of earth in the opposite direction. All this was, unfortunately, taking place in a small greenhouse hut, and it wasn't long before someone found the endless train of activity suspicious. Someone caught on, tipped off the authorities, and ultimately doomed the trio months before they even finished. Kim Scoville, director of Canada's Border Services Agency said: "We saw lumber going in and soil coming out. Combined with the location of the building and its proximity to the border, it wasn't difficult to come to the conclusion that likely a tunnel was being constructed." Embarrassingly for the smugglers the entire last six months of the operation had been closely monitored by the CFSEU. In fact, law enforcement even bugged the exit house in Lynden, Washington, as well as the tunnel itself with video and audio equipment. Operators then simply sat back and watched the last months of construction before swooping in. Though, drawing out the arrest wasn't just sadism on the part of law enforcement, it was simply better for authorities to let the smugglers make their first delivery, thereby allowing an arrest to be made on charges of drug smuggling rather than random tunnel building. US Attorney John McKay said: "The presence of a tunnel on our northern border threatens the security of countries, whether it is used to smuggle drugs, contraband or even terrorists." He finished with a sick law enforcement burn: "They were smart enough to build a sophisticated tunnel. They weren't smart enough to not get caught." Also arrested in connection with the tunnel were two US citizens that were detained after the initial delivery. This included a Twin Falls, Idaho woman caught with 42 kgs (93 pounds) of marijuana, and a man on Interstate 90 with 49 kgs (110 pounds) of marijuana. The masterminds, Raj, Woo and Valenzuela were prosecuted federally in the United States on charges of illegal drug transportation and their tunnel was destroyed. There is currently no movie about this trio and their tunnel, and we put forward to the movie making community that there perhaps should be. ## The Bangladesh/India Border Tunnels (And The Strategic Attack Bees) A similar situation to the Mexico/US border debacle is unfolding between India and Bangladesh. The 4,096 km fence line between the two countries has been largely unsecure and easy to cross for decades, having many remote, unmonitored areas that allow infiltrators to simply walk across. But in more recent years the Indian Border Security Force has been stepping up efforts. Many of the gaps are being gradually closed and innovative new methods are being deployed to keep borders safe. But, as in the US, the increased border security has resulted in a notable increase in smuggling tunnels. The India/Bangladesh smuggling tunnels are hardly as elaborate as those between Mexico and America, but their presence is still proving to be a growing nuisance, helping cattle smugglers, drug smugglers, and kidnappers wreak havoc on the bordering villages of each region. The longest discovered so far is an 80 meter (262 feet) long tunnel in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal. The tunnel appeared soon after the completion of fencing in that region and was used primarily for the smuggling of labourers and cough syrup. A BSF operative reported: "Vigil has been tightened along the international border. Hence, the smugglers have taken to building this tunnel to smuggle labourers from Bangladesh to India and addictive cough syrups from India to Bangladesh. As alcohol is banned in the neighbouring country, cough syrup addiction is high which is smuggled from India." 2021 saw a story unfold involving a man named Dilwar Hossain who was apparently kidnapped and taken through an expanded 200 meter drainage tunnel located in Karimganj, Bangladesh. His kidnappers allegedly called Hossain's family and demanded 500,000 Indian Rupees for his release, about six thousand US dollars. Police arrested a man they believed linked to the kidnapping in a nearby village, and after applying pressure managed to secure the release of Hossain. Once returned, Hossain guided police to a location in a remote, wooded area, explaining that the tunnel was used for various criminal activities including smuggling and kidnapping. He elaborated that, to his knowledge, there are at least another 60 similar breaches along the India/Bangladesh border. So, with the BSF already facing a monumental task keeping the above ground borders safe, plus now having to deal with a subterranean threat, the Indian government has turned to a rather innovative new solution. It was announced recently that the BSF plans to install a vast network of beehives at strategic locations on the border, thus making it difficult for drug and cattle smugglers to pass without triggering a mass stinging attack. With the attack bees making land borders more secure, the BSF will then hopefully be free to focus on the tunnel situation. Attack bees may sound like a rather farfetched idea, but the plan really has been well thought out. The project has been launched in the Nadia District in West Bengal with the cooperation of the local populace. The beehives are being installed near flowering plants and locals are planting additional gardens such as tulsi, ekangi, satmuli, ashwagandha and aloe vera. So, in conjunction with the honey produced by the bees, the herbs will likewise allow locals to generate income as they incorporate warrior bee colonies into their livelihoods. As far as the India/Bangladesh border itself is concerned, it was expected that the final sections of the fence would be completed this year, but that seems unlikely. Due to various complications including land acquisitions and the relocation of villages, completion of the border fences has seen delay after delay. Areas that still lack border security include Malda, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Karimganj, and West Jaintia Hills. ## The Robin Hood's Bay Smuggling Network This last one is a bit of a cheat given that Robin Hood's Bay doesn't feature a single tunnel, but rather is itself a vast, interconnected network of countless smuggling tunnels, including one that reportedly ran from within the village out onto nearby marsh. Located in the North York Moors National Park, sitting between Whitby and Scarborough, Robin Hood's Bay is now not much more than a tourist attraction. But go back to the 18th century and this little fishing village was key in an elaborate smuggler's network that spanned the entire North East Coast of the United Kingdom. It's said that, back in the day, contraband could arrive in Robin Hood's Bay, be unloaded from a boat, and make it the entire way through the village and out onto the cliffs without ever seeing daylight. You can still access part of one of these smuggling routes today by entering King's Beck Tunnel located beneath Bay Hotel. The tunnel was originally for drainage, but if you take a side passage you'll find yourself beneath the floorboards of a nearby property. Smugglers once passed contraband up into this building by hand where it was quickly squirreled away from prying eyes, or passed on to another link in the smugglers network. It's believed that dozens or even hundreds of similar smuggling routes existed in the bay in the 18th century, though most are now boarded up or have simply been lost. As far as the name Robin Hood's Bay is concerned, you'll be disappointed to learn that there is no evidence that the Sherwood Forest legend ever resided in or even visited the village. This isn't surprising given that Robin Hood himself likely didn't exist, other than in folktales and imagination. What is clear, however, is that Robin Hood's Bay is not only incredibly old, dating back 3,000 years, but has virtually always acted as a key location in smuggling and piracy. Louis Count of Flanders mentions 'Robin Oode Bay' in a letter as he begs for the return of his pirate ship, a reference dating back to between 1322 and 1346. But why exactly is it about this little village that made it such a smugglers hotspot? Well, above all else smugglers prize an isolated, protected location that is as easy to access by sea as possible, but as difficult to approach by land. Robin Hood's Bay is such a location, allowing easy approach by sea but being flanked on three sides by treacherous marshes. Even still, it wasn't until the 18th century that the local smuggling business really kicked into high gear. At that time the United Kingdom was locked in war with Europe and as we all know wars are rather expensive. Taxes were imposed on luxury goods to cover costs, resulting in items like tobacco, gin and silk suddenly falling out of reach of the average person. Thus smugglers quickly jumped on the opportunity. They recognised Robin Hood's Bay as an existing smuggling network, facilitated the flow of luxury goods and tapped into established black market routes. If you're wondering why the villagers in Robin Hood's Bay didn't step up and alert authorities, it's because virtually all of them were part of the smuggling network. It seems that throughout history the bay residents have always been keen to step up and offer a helping hand, so much so that the village thrived due to illicit income. It's important to keep in mind, though, that in the UK smugglers were the ones providing cheap goods, making them the heroes in the eyes of the public. Hence, Robin Hood's Bay really did live up to its name. The bay thrived throughout the 18th century, grew rapidly and became widely known as the place to go for cheap goods and good times. The village all but turned into a tourist hotspot by the 19th century and has, more or less, remained that way to this day. Of course, you won't be getting access to cheap drugs or other imported goods there these days, but you can enjoy the Robin Hood's Bay Smuggling Tour. ## Key Takeaways - The longest drug smuggling tunnel, discovered in 2019, stretched 1,313 meters between Tijuana and San Diego. - Increased border security post-9/11 led to a surge in underground smuggling tunnels between Mexico and the US. - The US Border Patrol's Tunnel Task Force uses radar technology to detect and dismantle smuggling tunnels. - Robin Hood's Bay in the UK was historically a key location for smuggling, with numerous interconnected tunnels. - India is deploying beehives along the Bangladesh border to deter smugglers, leveraging bees as a security measure. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the longest drug smuggling tunnel ever discovered? The longest drug smuggling tunnel ever discovered was found in mid-2019, stretching 1,313 meters (4,309 feet) between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. It was built by the Sinaloa cartel and included a lift, drainage system, air ventilation system, and high voltage electrical cables. ### How many drug smuggling tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the US? Between 1990 and 2015, a total of 183 tunnels were discovered. Since 2015, dozens more have been found, bringing the total to over 200. ### Why did the number of drug smuggling tunnels increase after the September 11th attacks? The increase in border security following the September 11th attacks made it more difficult to smuggle drugs through border checkpoints, leading traffickers to build underground tunnels as an alternative. ### What is the Tunnel Task Force? The Tunnel Task Force is a specialized team within U.S. Border Control that focuses on detecting and dismantling drug smuggling tunnels, primarily operating at the border between Tijuana and San Diego. ### What was the significance of the tunnel discovered in 2005 between Canada and the US? The tunnel discovered in 2005 between Langley, British Columbia, and Lynden, Washington, was the first and only drug smuggling tunnel ever found between the US and Canada. It was highly sophisticated but was detected due to suspicious activity involving the transportation of materials. ### What innovative method is being used to secure the India/Bangladesh border? The Indian Border Security Force is installing a network of beehives at strategic locations along the border. The bees are intended to deter smugglers by swarming and stinging them, making it difficult for them to pass undetected. ### What is the history of smuggling in Robin Hood's Bay? Robin Hood's Bay, located in the North York Moors National Park, was a key location in an elaborate smuggling network during the 18th century. The village was known for its extensive network of smuggling tunnels that allowed contraband to be moved without being detected. ### What was the purpose of the tunnel discovered in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal? The 80-meter-long tunnel in the Uttar Dinajpur district was used primarily for smuggling laborers and cough syrup, which is highly addictive in Bangladesh due to alcohol bans. ### What was the outcome of the tunnel discovered in November 2010 between Tijuana and San Diego? The tunnel discovered in November 2010 was 790 meters long and included reinforced walls and cemented floors. Authorities confiscated around 36,000 kilograms of marijuana, making it one of the biggest busts linked to underground smuggling. ### What was the significance of the tunnel discovered in 2020 between Tijuana and San Diego? The 2020 tunnel was 610 meters long and included a functional rail system. Authorities seized 590 kilograms of cocaine, 36 kilograms of methamphetamine, 7.7 kilograms of heroin, 1,400 kilograms of marijuana, and nearly a kilogram of fentanyl. ## Sources - [Original Side Projects video: The Most Incredible Drug Smuggling Tunnels Ever Discovered](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Barud2ClfC0) ## Related Coverage