SAN DIEGO, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- An apparent attempt by a group to cross the U.S. border between Mexico and California via a storm drain failed when Border Patrol agents spotted them.
Two illegal immigrants were arrested after they emerged from the tunnel near the Otay Mesa border crossing, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. A third man became stuck in the tunnel mouth, and those behind him either returned to Mexico or were detained after he was extricated by the San Diego Fire Department.
The Border Patrol began close surveillance of the area just before 7 a.m. when agents saw a group just south of the border fence. About 14 people looked like they were about to make a crossing.
Two people emerged north of the fence a short time later.
The incident delayed trucks traveling north because authorities shut down a highway over the tunnel.
Would-be immigrants have increasingly used storm drains to cross the border, the Border Patrol said.
