LYNDEN, Wash., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Workers have begun destruction of a tunnel allegedly used to smuggle marijuana from Canada across the border to Washington State.
The 360-foot-long tunnel was discovered in July. Three men, all residents of Surrey, B.C., were arrested and charged with bringing a load of marijuana through in 93-pound bags.
One of the suspects, Francis Devandra Raj, owns the property at the Canadian end of the tunnel. Two other people have also been charged.
U.S. officials expect to complete the removal of supports from the 50 to 60 yards of tunnel on the U.S. side of the border and filling the hole with concrete and dirt this week, the Seattle Times reports. Work is scheduled to begin next week on the Canadian end.
Several tunnels used to smuggle drugs have been discovered under the U.S.-Mexico border, but this was the first between the United States and Canada.
Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of properties at both ends of the tunnel. In Canada, the tunnel began at a Quonset hut, while at the southern end it emerged at a house.
