CHONGQING: Two former police chiefs have been formally arrested for protecting gangs, while a low-profile exhibition in the city is showing valuable cars, jewels, antiques, drugs and ammunitions seized from gangs and such officials.

Wen Qiang, 53, former director of the city's judicial administrative bureau and deputy head of the public security bureau, and his accomplice, Peng Changjian, former deputy chief of the public security bureau, were arrested over the weekend for allegedly serving as a "protective umbrella" for local gangs, judicial authorities announced yesterday.

A preliminary investigation shows Wen and Peng have concealed the proceeds of crimes, put official jobs for sale and accepted bribes. Judicial authorities have seized more than 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) of assets during the investigation, and are still tracing some illegal gains that have been transferred overseas.