Construction workers had a surprise Wednesday while doing some remodeling in eastern San José's San Pedro Mall.

Police said an AK-47 assault rifle, two loading clips and a smoke grenade were hidden between the drywalls of a construction site on the fifth floor.

One of the clips was loaded with approximately 30 bullets and the other was empty, the Public Security Ministry said.

Erick Calderón, Montes de Oca district police chief, said shoppers were not informed of the discovery in order to avoid panic.

The stairways and car ramps leading up to the fifth floor were blocked for precaution while police investigated the area.

The news, however, traveled through the mall as shop attendants buzzed about the weapons that had been found.