Authorities discovered what they are calling the most elaborate drug tunnel ever found along the U.S.-Mexico border in Otay Mesa, CA. It included an elevator, wood panel flooring, rail tracks, lighting, and and an open bar(kidding!) and oh yeah, 32 tons of Marijuana. I saw it on the news Wednesday morning and decided to shoot down there and see if I could get in and have a look. As I approached, there were guys with machine guns as well as yellow tape lines blocking off the entrance to a large warehouse with officials yapping on walky-talkies. I saw no media scrum outside so I thought I'd just try and walk in. As I entered, acting like I belonged there, I immediately saw a manhole sized opening in the concrete leading to the tunnel. Someone came up and asked who I was and I gave him my name and organization, all the while expecting to get kicked out. I signed in and noticed my hands were shaking. I started chit-chatting with the array of Law enforcement personnel from Border Patrol to ICE agents to lots of other guys with guns and cool sunglasses. They all seemed to treat me with little or no suspicion so I just started shooting. I then began to gain a little confidence and asked one the guys if I could hop down in the hole and get some shots. He said "sure" and even lent me his flashlight and helmet. I jumped in, started shooting as much as I could until I heard a muffled "Where is that camera guy!!!" For a brief moment I thought of taking off and going out through Mexico. I figured that would make things more complicated and just took a deep breath, turned around and climbed out. The guy started questioning me and who and how I got access, I told him some of the ICE agents I knew and he wasn't buying it. He then just politely asked me to leave the building. I really didn't think I'd get off that easy. As I left, TV and other media truck started slowly rolling up and officials started setting up for a press conference. No one was allowed in to see the tunnel. That's when I realized I had some exclusive shots. This would have been a much better success story if Mexican authorities wouldn't have let EVERYONE into the opening on their side. They also had the elevator and rail tracks so it was much more visual.
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