The women's mounted police unit in Dalian is facing allegations of illegal business operation, the First Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The training base for the unit has been operating as a tourist attraction since 2001, and managed to raise at least 30 million yuan ($4.89 million) in the past 12 years from selling tickets to visitors, the report said.

As all expenditures of mounted police units are covered by government funds, there is no need for the unit to raise money, the report added.

In addition, it is illegal for police to run a tourist attraction, Beijing lawyer Lu Yun said.

According to the People's Police Law, the police are prohibited from operating commercial activities or being employed by any individual or organization.