New taipei: Police in New Taipei's Tamsui District on Wednesday said they recently busted an illegal mahjong gambling venue patronized by retirees, including one who became unnerved when their bag of lucky salt was mistaken for drugs.

According to Focus Taiwan, the New Taipei City Police Department's Tamsui Precinct reported that a residence on Zhongshan North Road, Section 1 had raised suspicions due to frequent visits by various individuals, suggesting the presence of an underground casino. Following a period of surveillance, officers conducted a raid on March 12 at 4 p.m., leading to the arrest of the gambling den's operators, a sister and brother duo in their 40s surnamed Lee. The police seized gambling equipment and over NT$100,000 (US$3,130.77) in cash as evidence.

In addition, police detained nine patrons, primarily composed of retirees and local housewives, aged between 50 and 70. The patrons reportedly claimed that they believed playing mahjong in a private home was merely a recreational activity and were unaware of its illegality.

During the search, several elderly women expressed concern over their inability to return home in time to prepare dinner, prompting them to phone their families to inform them of the situation. A moment of tension arose when a plastic bag containing small white crystals was discovered in a patron's wallet. Initially suspected to be drugs, the patron quickly clarified that it contained salt, which is believed in Taiwanese folk tradition to bring good luck, hoping it would improve their chances in the game.

Following the operation, the Lee siblings were referred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office for investigation on gambling charges. The arrested gamblers face fines of NT$9,000 each under the Social Order Maintenance Act, as stated by the precinct.