Two men charged for building and running an underground drug tunnel that runs below the U.S.-Mexico border have admitted they were guilty of drug charges in federal court in San Diego, officials reported on Tuesday. 

In different court hearings, they said they were responsible for building a 400-foot tunnel about 20 feet underground that brings together the homes Mexicali and Calexico, officials stated. They have come to think that the men were attempting to import 2,000 pounds of marijuana when the tunnel was found on Sept. 15, 2006.

Saul Ontiveros-Zamora, from Mexico, said he was guilty to the charges of conspiracy to drug trafficking and and planning to move and sell drugs on Monday. He has been held in jail as of Sept. 19, 2008.

Eduardo Araza-Leon, of Calexico, said he was guilty on Tuesday for renting drug-related premises and planning to move and sell drugs.

Araza has been held in jail as of June 8, 2006, for a separate incident. While in jail, he met with Otiveros to talk about the finishing touches on the tunnel and the operations to be carried out. Federal authorities started an investigation and discovered the tunnel, which took nine months to build, offficials reported. 

Ontiveros is set to receive his sentence on May 24 and has the potential to serve many years in jail. Araza is scheduled to be sentenced May 10 and also faces the same possibility.  

Two other men have been charged and found guilty for drug charges and for assisting Ontiveros and Araza in moving and selling drugs, officials stated.