HUANGGANG Customs recently seized 508 pieces of gambling equipment at Huanggang Checkpoint.

At about 10:30 a.m. Monday, a traveler carrying a portable iron box caught the attention of Customs officers while crossing the border. The officers then asked the traveler to have the iron box undergo an X-ray inspection, through which a large number of coin-shaped articles were found neatly arranged in the box.

Officers found that the iron box contained gambling supplies and included five dices, two packs of poker cards, and a large number of gambling chips. These round chips were slightly larger than regular coins and were printed with casino names, numbers and words in English. Among them were 50 chips with a face value of 1,000 yuan (US$152) and 500 yuan, and 100 chips with a face value of 5 yuan, 10 yuan and 25 yuan. According to the passenger, the chips’ value totaled HK$89,000 (US$11,400).

After further inquiry, the traveler claimed that the gambling equipment was purchased online. The case has been handed over to relevant departments for further treatment. (Zhang Yu)