A U-Haul containing more than two tons of pot was pulled over by Bisbee police Monday night, leading federal agents to a cross-border smuggling tunnel in nearby Naco, Arizona, authorities said.
Agents with the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement received a tip late on Monday, advising them to the possible transport of a a marijuana load in the Bisbee area, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
ICE notified the Bisbee Police Department and at about 6:30 p.m., officers pulled over a U-Haul containing 4,700 pounds of marijuana valued at $3.3 million. A Tucson Sector Border Patrol dog team assisted in the operation.
Bisbee police and Tucson Border Patrol agents uncovered evidence that allowed Homeland Security agents to obtain a search warrant for a home on South Humphrey Avenue in Naco, Arizona β about 20 minutes from Bisbee.
Before dawn on Tuesday, agents from Homeland Security and Border Patrol arrived at the residence and discovered the entrance to an underground tunnel in a shed on the edge of the property, according to the news release.
The tunnel is reported to be accessible by a concrete shaft equipped with a hydraulic lift, investigators said. Concerns about air quality hindered initial efforts to travel the full length of the tunnel, accessed from the U.S. side.
Agents have notified Mexican authorities to the discovery and law enforcement is working to locate the tunnel's opening on the Mexico side, according to the release.
So far, two men have been detained in connection with the investigation, the driver of the truck and a suspect agents encountered at the Naco home. Three weapons have been seized.
