A criminal gang who controlled the supply chain of a famous snack chain store using violence and intimidation has been smashed by police, chinanews.com reported.

Police arrested 59 gang members responsible for monopolizing food materials sold in Shaxian Snacks in Guangzhou, capital city of South China's Guangdong province.

Store owners would be beaten and threatened with further violence if they did not buy noodles and dumpling wrappers from the gang.

Police detained 34 with different offences of violence and threatening behavior and seized a gun, a mortar shell, knives, axes and fake seals. Police also believe the gang could be responsible for supplying fake alcohol and wine.

The municipal authorities have detained 470 suspects who controlled the supply market using violence since the start of the crackdown in February.

Tools used by the suspects are displayed in Guangzhou on April 26. Guangzhou police cracked a gang of 59 members who monopolized the local food supplies of a famous snack chain store using violence. [Photo/ Guangzhou Daily]

A imitation police baton, a pistol and a mortar shell used by the suspects are displayed in Guangzhou on April 26. [Photo/ Guangzhou Daily]