http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_073142836.html

Mar 14, 2006 8:21 am US/Pacific

Board Supports Ban On Border Tunnels

(CBS) SAN DIEGO, Calif. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to support proposed federal legislation that would make financing or building a cross-border tunnel a felony.

"Shockingly, the construction of a tunnel under one of our international borders is not illegal," Supervisor Greg Cox said.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced the legislation last month after federal authorities discovered a well-crafted, half-mile tunnel that ran from Tijuana to a warehouse in the San Diego area.

About 200 pounds of marijuana was found inside the tunnel on the U.S. side of the border and another 4,000 pounds was found on the Mexican side.

Feinstein's bill would set a maximum 20-year sentence for building or financing a tunnel and anyone who permits the construction of a tunnel on their land would get 10 years in prison.

It would also double sentences for those who use a tunnel to smuggle illegal immigrants, weapons, drugs, terrorists or goods, and forfeit the assets or property of anyone involved in the offense.

Authorities have discovered 40 tunnels underneath the Mexico and U.S. border since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and eight have already been found this year, Cox said.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob said the legislation was overdue.

"Whether it is on the ground, below the ground or up in the air, those who want to smuggle illegal aliens, weapons or drugs into the United States will do whatever they can to penetrate our borders," Jacob said.

"It is a federal problem that needs to be fought on many fronts," she said. "Criminalizing the construction of border tunnels is another tool to add to our national defense."