Story highlights A black and white cat had saws, drills, batteries and a phone taped to its body

Prison guards spotted the cat as it was about to enter the prison, officials said

The cat has been turned over to animal control, prison officials said

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 supposed to be aiding.

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