Wen Qiang , the most senior official to fall in the crackdown on Chongqing's gangs, has been formally arrested.

The former deputy police chief and head of the municipality's justice bureau, he was endorsed by the municipality's People's Congress. It came as Peng Changjian , another former deputy police chief, was also formally arrested. Cqnews.net, a news portal affiliated to the Chongqing Daily, said that meant both men would be transferred to the judicial system. Wen is accused of protecting numerous mafia-like crime syndicates. He was placed under shuanggui - detention for party members - in mid-August and is said to have amassed a fortune.

Meanwhile, Yang Zengyu was appointed deputy police chief on Saturday. According to local media, Yang kept a low-profile in his rise up the police ladder but did not come under the influence of the gangs.