> Thursday, December 6, 2007
> Los Angeles Times

> SAN DIEGO -- The deputy police chief of the Mexican border town of
> Tecate was gunned down in his home Tuesday morning, one day after the
> discovery of a cross-border tunnel that authorities believe was used
> for drug smuggling.

> Jose Juan Soriano Pereira, 35, who was appointed second in command of
> the force three days ago, was asleep next to his wife when gunmen
> stormed the house, Mexican authorities said. Police found 45 shell
> casings in the bedroom.

> Soriano's wife was not hurt, officials said. The assailants are
> believed to have fled down the highway toward Tijuana, about 40 miles
> to the west.

> It was not clear if the assault was linked to the discovery of the
> tunnel, a well-constructed passage featuring lights and ventilation
> that stretched more than 1,500 feet north of the border.

> A U.S. Border Patrol canine unit discovered the tunnel Monday morning,
> along with nearly 9 tons of marijuana inside a cargo container. The
> tunnel's opening in Mexico was found by Mexican authorities Monday
> afternoon in a warehouse-like building 100 yards south of the border.

> A few hours later, the gunmen killed Soriano.

> Soriano was considered an honest lawman, U.S. law-enforcement sources
> said. Some speculate he might have been killed by smugglers in
> retaliation for the discovery of the tunnel.