Arapiraca prison break attempt in Brazil planned to use cat as accomplice, smuggling in tools

(CNN) -- Prison guards in Brazil's northeast Alagoas state say they have foiled a jailbreak plot with a surprising accomplice: a black and white cat.

The cat had a cell phone, drills, assorted batteries and two saws taped to its body when it was spotted by guards on December 31 as it was about to enter the prison in Arapiraca, according to a statement released Saturday by Alagoas state prisons.

Prison officials maintain the items attached to the cat were to be used to facilitate a prison break.

The prison's more than 250 inmates were all considered suspects as officials said they did not immediately know who the cat was suppose to be aiding.

The incident is under investigation, and the cat was handed over to animal control, the statement said.

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