Assistant U. S. Attorney Sherri Walker Hobson (619) 961-0287
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - Aug. 28, 2017
SAN DIEGO - Habib Sayb Mujica, an American citizen who spent almost six years in a Mexican prison for firearms trafficking only to be arrested in the U.S. upon his release, pleaded guilty in federal court today to tunnel-related charges.
According to his plea agreement, Mujica, 35 admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to construct, finance and use an unfinished tunnel that was discovered in Calexico in 2011. The tunnel was discovered by Homeland Security Investigations agents at a warehouse at 361 W. 2nd Street in Calexico.
Mujica acknowledged in his plea agreement that he instructed Ricardo Rosales-Rafael to rent the large Calexico warehouse with drug proceeds. He further admitted that approximately $340,172 in cash was deposited into bank accounts to facilitate the rental of the Calexico warehouse and to rent various machines and tools to construct the tunnel’s exit point for the purpose of smuggling controlled substances.
Mujica also admitted that he intended to operate a business known as Baja Bikes, but this was only a front to conceal the tunnel activities inside. To construct the tunnel, Mujica arranged for a Horizontal Directional Drilling Machine (HDD) to initiate the construction of a tunnel, and purchased multiple tools and equipment, including alignment tools, pipes, level tripod, jack hammer, drills, electric saws, forklift hydraulic lift, air compressors and tool boxes.
Mujica, who recently completed a sentence of almost six years in a Mexican prison following his conviction for gun trafficking there, was expelled from Mexico to the United States in May 2017. He was arrested by U.S. authorities after his explusion.
Mujica is scheduled to be sentenced for the tunnel-related crimes on Nov. 27, 2017, at 9 a.m. before Judge Thomas Whelan. Mujica also faces gun charges in an unrelated criminal case, criminal case number 11cr3531JAH.
The following photos depict the warehouse and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Machine used to construct the tunnel:
DEFENDANT Case Number 17CR2505W
Habib Sayb Mujica Age: 35 Calexico, California
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Money Laundering Conspiracy - Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment and $500,000 fine
Conspiracy to Construct, Finance, and Use Tunnel - Title 18,U.S.C. Section 555
Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine
AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations, Calexico
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
