Tunnel discovered on Tijuana-San Diego border

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

(12-10) 17:12 PST San Diego, CA (AP) --

U.S. authorities say they discovered an incomplete tunnel that originates in Tijuana, Mexico and stretches about 10 feet into San Diego.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack says the tunnel found Wednesday near the San Ysidro border crossing was about 5 feet deep and 3 feet wide.

Mexican authorities are trying to locate the starting point.

Border Patrol spokesman Julius Alatorre says an agency contractor discovered the tunnel when a driver hit a soft spot in the pavement. A hammer and chisel — believed to be abandoned long ago — were found inside.

Dozens of secret tunnels have been found along the U.S.-Mexico in recent years, many of them incomplete. Authorities say they are designed to smuggle drugs or people.

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