- Habib Mujica, 35, pleaded guilty to creating a drug tunnel between the U.S. and Mexican border in court on Monday
- The American man spent six years in a Mexican prison for gun trafficking and was arrested shortly after he released and returned to the U.S. in May
- His latest charges stem from the 2011 discovery of a drug tunnel he allegedly funded in Calexico, California
- Mujica faces up to 40 years in prison and a $750,000 fine when he is sentenced on November 27
An American citizen accused of operating a drug-smuggling tunnel in California has pleaded guilty after being arrested in May.
Habib Mujica, 35, spent nearly six years in a Mexico prison for gun trafficking before being arrested when he returned to the U.S. this year.
His latest charges stem from a drug-smuggling tunnel that Homeland Security investigators discovered in Calexico, California warehouse six years ago.
A California man pleaded guilty on Monday to building an underground drug tunnel between the U.S. and Mexico. Above some of the tunneling equipment
The tunnel was discovered in a Calexico, California warehouse in 2011
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday that Mujica pleaded guilty to conspiring to finance, construct and use the tunnel in order to smuggle drugs under the Mexican border.
Mujica says in his plea agreement that he intended to run a business called Baja Bikes as a front to conceal illegal activities.
He said that he instructed another man to use drug proceeds to rent a warehouse, rent tunnel making equipment and get started on the tunnel’s construction.
He faces up to 40 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines when he is sentenced on November 27.
He also faces unrelated gun charges.