In August 2018, U.S. authorities uncovered a sophisticated drug-smuggling tunnel beneath a former KFC restaurant in San Luis, Arizona, near the U.S.-Mexico border. The discovery followed a routine traffic stop on August 13, during which police arrested Ivan Lopez, the building’s owner, after finding over 168 kilograms of narcotics—including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin—in his vehicle.
Subsequent searches of Lopez’s properties, including the abandoned KFC, revealed a narrow tunnel entrance in the restaurant’s kitchen area. The tunnel extended approximately 600 feet, reaching a residence in Sonora, Mexico, where its exit was concealed beneath a bed. Authorities believe the tunnel was used to transport drugs across the border, with narcotics pulled through using a rope.
Investigators suspect the tunnel was operated by the Sinaloa Cartel, a powerful Mexican drug trafficking organization known for constructing elaborate smuggling tunnels. The tunnel’s dimensions—22 feet deep, 3 feet wide, and 5 feet tall—suggest a well-planned operation.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating cross-border drug trafficking and the innovative methods employed by cartels to evade detection. It also underscores the importance of vigilance and inter-agency cooperation in identifying and dismantling such clandestine operations.
