Diver Appears in Court for Smuggling Cocaine From Mexico to California Through Underwater Tunnel [PHOTOS]

Drug traffickers are getting crafty. Forget hopping any fences guys, let's go underwater! In recent reports, a man smuggled cocaine across the Mexican U.S. border using scuba gear.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office a Honduran man had used a wetsuit and scuba gear to smuggle 55 pounds of cocaine through an underwater tunnel that runs from Mexico to the California.

Evelio Padilla pleased guilty in federal court in San Diego to one count of possession with intent to distribute, reports Associated Press.

On April 25^th, Padilla was found near the All-American Canal, 7 miles east of Calexico, California. He was soaking wet and donning a wetsuit. He also had with him numerous vaccum sealed and giftwrapped packages, in which concealed the 55 pounds of cocaine. Reports also revealed, he was found with a "rebreather. " It is a diving device to prevent bubbles from reaching the surfacing. Once officials saw Padilla, they eventually found the underwater canal. The 150-foot long tunnel begins in a house in Mexicali, Mexico and exits in California - the opening is submerged under water and hidden beneath rocks, according to CNN.

See the photos here.

Pretty cunning! One federal official believes so too, however she also admitted the wit behind these plans drives the government to press on. "Drug smugglers will try anything to move their product - even scuba diving in an underwater tunnel," said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy said in a statement. "The ingenuity of the smugglers is matched only by our determination to thwart it."

According to court documents, the Mexicali native, said he was hired initially to bring people across the canal and in doing so, he would receive $7000. He also claimed to have already transported three people through the canal. He further revealed he was told he would be transporting packages, not people.

The 28-year old also told judges he had no other choice.

At this time, officials have not revealed whether they know who built the tunnel or is handling the operations behind it. It is also unclear whether any other arrests have been made. However, It is clear that Evelio Padilla faces up to 20 years behind bars and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.