Toronto Police Find Mystery Tunnellers

       

Police digging into the mystery of a tunnel found near a Toronto sports centre have saidbthe builders posed no threat to the city but have refused to reveal its purpose.The 10-metre-long tunnel was discovered by a conservation officer in a secluded forest near York University on 14 January.


It contained plywood wall supports, a gas generator, moisture-resistant light bulbs, a sump pump to remove groundwater and food and drink containers.

Police also found rosary beads with a
Remembrance Day poppy nailed to a wall. The tunnel lay 10 feet below the ground, was over six feet high and three feet wide, and police believe it was dug entirely by hand using a pulley system.

Describing it as "warm and comfortable
inside", Deputy Police Chief Mark Saunders said he believed the tunnel was only for use in winter.

"This was built with a considerable amount of sophistication," he said.
"The individuals responsible for building it clearly had some expertise in structural integrity."

The tunnel was just metres from the fence of a complex due to host the Canadian Open tennis tournament and various parts of the Pan-American Games in the summer, prompting police fears that the tunnel diggers could have terrorism on their minds.

But now police have identified the two men who built the tunnel and are satisfied there is no threat to the public or criminal intent involved.

In a statement, police did not identify the men or give any clues to why they had built the tunnel, apart from describing the motive as "personal reasons".

Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said:
"Our concern was whether there was any
criminal intent or threat to the people or the city. There was not. "The investigation is concluded."