Guangzhou Police have devised a unique plan to catch bad guys: playing cards. That’s right, they plan to produce 50,000 decks of cards with wanted suspects’ faces on them, in the hopes that citizens will recognize the photos, and offer clues as to the criminals’ whereabouts.

Needless to say, many citizens are keen to know where they can purchase a deck. According to police, the cards will be distributed for free in areas where migrant workers typically congregate: urban villages, construction sites, factories, etc. If the plan works, the police will consider producing more decks, with additional suspects.

“Quantity of distribution differs from district to district”

As the Information Times reports, the police have divided the city into three categories based on the demographics of each district. The first category, which includes the districts of Tianhe, Baiyun, Haizhu, Panyu, Zengchang, and Huadu, will be assigned 5000 decks of cards. Districts in the second and third category will receive 2000 decks, and 500 decks, respectfully.

As far as the reporter has learned, the 5000 packs assigned to Haizhu district have been distributed, while Conghua district has already run out of its 2000 decks, and is demanding more. The question remains however, whether or not the plan will actually work. Guangzhou police say the cost of the playing cards is about 3 RMB per deck, while the first batch of 50,000 packs cost a total of 147,000 RMB. Although police have yet to confirm whether or not they will continue producing the cards, they have said that if they help solving cases, they’ll certainly consider it.

Citizens’ opinions vary on the matter. Some think it’s a very creative idea, and should be encouraged, as the cost is minimal relative to the potential gain. Others disagree, arguing that with wanted faces on them, card playing will lose its cultural appeal, and turn into simply a game of looking for suspects. Either way, the cards are making quite an impression.