An American, extradited from Mexico to California, pleaded not guilty in connection with accusations of having transported cocaine and other drugs to the United States through a sophisticated tunnel discovered in 2022 on the border with California.

Genaro López was extradited last Friday and appeared in federal court in San Diego on Monday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges, according to the US Department of Justice.

The Prosecutor's Office accuses the American of being a “powerful drug trafficker” who operated on both sides of the border.

The United States alleges that López used a cross-border tunnel, discovered on May 12, 2022, to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

The underground passage, which extended from Tijuana to a warehouse very close to the US port of entry of Otay Mesa, had a length of 540 meters, reinforced walls, a system of rails, electricity and ventilation.

Investigators found the tunnel while surveilling a safe house in National City, California, where nearly 800 kilograms of cocaine, 74.8 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl were seized.

López was already in the sights of the authorities. The prosecution alleges that in July 2021, a safe house was detected in Chula Vista, from which several vehicles used for drug trafficking left.

López is believed to have fled to Mexico in 2021, after a search warrant was executed at the Chula Vista home, and remained a fugitive until March 10, when he was detained by Mexican authorities at the request of the United States.

Four López collaborators were arrested and charged with drug trafficking crimes; They subsequently pleaded guilty and were sentenced.

López, who remains detained without bail, must return to court in August.

With information from EFE.