200-metre tunnel discovered near Peru prison

Police officers discovered on Monday a tunnel of over 200 metres leading to a prison on the outskirts of the Peruvian capital Lima.

Initial police reports state that construction near Miguel Castro prison was to facilitate the eventual escape of inmates.

"(the tunnel found) was for the possible escape of inmates linked to the crime of illicit drug trafficking, basically of foreign nationality," said Cesar Cervantes, the General Commander of the Peruvian National Police, after visiting the site.

Authorities told local media that the construction of the tunnel would have taken about six months.

According to their investigations, the tunnel had been planned since last year and some 500-thousand dollars had been invested in the excavation work.

Police suspect the money came from drug trafficking.