A court in the Chinese mainland has delivered a landmark verdict against a transnational criminal group operating in northern Myanmar, sentencing five individuals to death for crimes including telecom fraud, drug trafficking, and homicide. The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Province detailed the gang's extensive operations, which spanned 41 compounds in Myanmar's Kokang region and involved over 29 billion yuan ($4 billion) in illicit gambling and fraud proceeds.
Crimes and Consequences
The court found the group responsible for the deaths of six Chinese nationals, one suicide, and multiple injuries. One defendant was linked to the trafficking of 11 tonnes of methamphetamine. The verdict also included two death sentences with reprieve, five life imprisonments, and prison terms for nine others, alongside fines and property confiscation.
Cross-Border Crackdown
Authorities highlighted the gang's activities, which included coercing prostitution, illegal border crossings, and operating gambling dens. The ruling underscores China's intensified efforts to combat cross-border crime and protect citizens abroad, reflecting broader regional security challenges.
