Drug traffickers spent over $326,000 to move drugs in tricked out subterranean tunnel - but then THIS happened

'I continue to be amazed by the ingenuity, the tenacity and the stupidity of people who dump so much time and money into a hole in the ground...'

Concluding a 16-month-long federal investigation, Customs and Homeland Security agents discovered a subterranean tunnel connecting a Southern California home to a Mexican restaurant.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) -  According to NBC News, the drug traffickers purchased a plot of land in Calexico, California, which sits 300-yards from the Mexican border.

Officials explained the smugglers purchased the land for $240,000 and spent $85,000 to build a home. When speaking to the contractor, the traffickers asked for a spot in the floor to be left open as the foundation's concrete was poured so they could place a floor safe in the area.

The truth was, they wanted that spot open so they could dig a subterranean tunnel to connect the home to a restaurant in Mexicali, Mexico, which was only the distance of roughly four football fields away.

The Los Angeles Times explained U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents discovered the house's construction through wiretaps conducted through October and November last year, when they overheard the conversation between the lot's owners and the contractor.

Though the home was completed in December, Homeland Security agents believe marijuana began to be smuggled at the end of February.

Less than three weeks later, authorities stormed the home and investigated the tunnels, which were discovered to be outfitted with electricity and a railway system.

Over 1,350 pounds of marijuana was reported to have been smuggled through the tunnel and stashed in several locations.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the case. Both are women who were discovered in Arizona on Tuesday. One woman was arrested for suspicion of purchasing the home and the other was charged in San Diego's federal court after being accused of aiding the drug traffickers.

Two men were also arrested in Calexico on Wednesday, when officials seized roughly 1,500 pounds of marijuana in the home.

Laura Duffy, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, told NBC News: "I continue to be amazed by the ingenuity, the tenacity and the stupidity of people who dump so much time and money into a hole in the ground - seemingly unconcerned that they are doing so right under the noses of law enforcement."

After collecting more plastic-wrapped packages of marijuana in the tunnel, Customs and Homeland Security agents collected a total of $6 million of retail value marijuana.

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