Mexicali --  The Policia Estatal Preventiva (state police) in Mexicali arrested eight men Monday afternoon.  Police say the men were digging a tunnel that was headed towards Calexico, California. 

Right now, the suspects are all being questioned at a local police department.  The charges will come later. 

State Police say at about 2 p.m. a concerned citizen called police and said there was suspicious activity at the home just two block from the border.  Minutes later, police moved in to find several people digging a tunnel. 

In a press conference Juan Manuel Guillen, the Director of the Policia Estatal Preventiva said, "We discovered a tunnel, its diameter is one meter and a half, it is 6 meters in depth, it measures 120 meters from the home to its end point.  The tunnel was 60 meters away from the border. We also found the tunnel had light, an elevator and it is equipped with an air conditioner." 

Police searched the home and found a 38 caliber revolver, digging tools and an F-350 truck.  The men in custody are from 27 to 52 years of age; police say the men are either from the Sinaloa or Guadalajara.

KSWT News 13 talked to the former owner of the house: "My conscious is clear...but it's worry some that my children have to see this, when the property was sold we never knew who the owner was and we never saw people living in the house." 

Police say the property is owned by Carlos Silva Lepe.  Its not clear if he'll be facing any charges.

In the meantime, military officers stand guard in front of the home.

The P.G.R.- Procuraduría General de la República, which is the Mexican Federal Police, is investigating the case.