local
Alleged drug kingpin accused of smuggling drugs across US-Mexico border through railway tunnel
By Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
SAN DIEGO (Gray News) - A man was arraigned in federal court Monday for allegedly using a sophisticated underground tunnel to move drugs into the U.S. from Mexico that was discovered in 2022. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Genaro Lopez, 54, was a powerful drug trafficker who was operati...
Key takeaway Attorney’s Office, Genaro Lopez, 54, was a powerful drug trafficker who was operating on both sides of the border.
Why this matters in The Nashville
While the alleged drug kingpin's operation was based in California, the impact of his smuggling efforts could be felt in Nashville , where the opioid crisis continues to affect communities. The seizure of nearly 800 kilograms of cocaine, 74 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl is a stark reminder of the volume of illicit substances that can flood the market, ultimately making their way to cities like Nashville. Local law enforcement and public health officials have been working to combat the opioid epidemic, and the disruption of large-scale smuggling operations like Lopez's can have a direct impact on the availability of these substances in Middle Tennessee. As the case against Lopez moves forward, Nashville residents should be aware of the ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illicit drugs into the city and the potential consequences for public health and safety.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SAN DIEGO (Gray News) - A man was arraigned in federal court Monday for allegedly using a sophisticated underground tunnel to move drugs into the U.S. from Mexico that was discovered in 2022. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Genaro Lopez, 54, was a powerful drug trafficker who was operati...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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