CHENGDU, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Local police and cigarette monopoly officials in southwest China's Sichuan Province recently uncovered an underground cigarette factory that was disguised as aprison.

    The illegal factory is located in Pengshan County of Meishan City. A nameplate on its gate reads: "The No.1 Block of the Xinkang Prison of Sichuan Province."

    In the courtyard of the factory, there are workshops and dormitory buildings. Investigators found 565 cartons of ready-madecigarettes and 117 tons of cut tobacco, along with cigarette making equipment. Four suspects and two trucks were captured.

    The "prison" manufactures 250,000 yuan (about 30,000 US dollars)worth of cigarettes, in over 20 "brands", according to the officials.

    Workers were treated like prisoners as they were not allowed togo out and had to stay in the "factory" round-the-clock.

    The case is still under investigation.

    The Xinkang Prison has denied it has any connection with the underground business. Enditem