SAN DIEGO _ A 35-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to finance, construct and use a drug-smuggling tunnel discovered in Calexico six years ago, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Habib Mujica, of Calexico, spent nearly six years in a Mexican prison for gun trafficking only to be arrested in connection with the drug-smuggling tunnel case once he was returned to the U.S. in May.
The tunnel was discovered by Homeland Security Investigations agents at a warehouse in Calexico, about 120 miles east of San Diego, in 2011.
According to his plea agreement, Mujica instructed another man to use drug proceeds to rent the warehouse and purchased tools and equipment _ including pipes, a level tripod, a jackhammer, electric saws, a forklift and air compressors _ to build the tunnel. He used a horizontal-drilling machine to start the project, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Mujica also admitted in his plea agreement that he intended to run a business called Baja Bikes as a front to conceal the illegal activities.
He faces up to 40 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines at his sentencing, scheduled for Nov. 27. He also faces gun-related charges in a separate case, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
