Chinese court sentences Myanmar gambling, crime syndicate members

• Five members of a criminal syndicate that operated from northern Myanmar were sentenced to death by a court in China
• The cross-border criminal group engaged in illegal gambling, fraud, homicide, prostitution, as well as drug production and distribution
• Several syndicate members received sentences of life in prison, while nine were sentenced to between three and 20 years in prison

Nearly two dozen people involved in the operation of a cross-border criminal syndicate that operated out of northern Myanmar received tough sentences from a Chinese court on Tuesday.

The crime syndicate recorded proceeds of more than $4bn

The fall of the criminal organization is part of the ongoing crackdown by China and Myanmar against international crimes, including money laundering, illegal gambling, forced labor and prostitution, among other crimes.

As announced by the local media outlet, Xinhua, the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Provincehanded sentences against a number of members of the criminal syndicate.

An investigation uncovered that the cross-border criminal group was involved in drug production and distribution, illegal gambling, homicide, fraud and prostitution, among other serious crimes.

According to the Court, fraud and illegal gambling activities by the criminal syndicate generated an excess of 29 billion yuan or approximately $4bn in proceeds.

Besides illegal gambling and fraud, the syndicate reportedly manufactured 11 tons of the dangerous drug, methamphetamine, and distributed it.

Indictments against the members of the criminal group were issued in July, while the trial against the syndicate started in September, local media outlets confirmed.

News about the latest tough criminal sentences follows another massive operation against illegal gambling in Myanmar.

Last month, local media outlets announced that a military raid against a scam and illegal gambling center located at KK Park resulted in the arrest of more than 2,000 people.

Five syndicate members receive death sentences, five get life in prison

During the recent sentencing on Tuesday, a total of 21 members of the criminal syndicate received sentences.

For their involvement in the syndicate that operated out of northern Myanmar, five people were sentenced to death.

The actions of those syndicate members, the Court said, led to the deaths of six Chinese nationals, the suicide of one Chinese national and injuries to others.

Two other criminal syndicate members received a death sentence with two years of reprieve. In other words, the death sentence of those individuals is suspended for two years and if they behave well during that time, they may receive a lenient sentence of life imprisonment, or a fixed prison term.

On the other hand, five other defendants were sentenced to life in prison.

Another nine individuals involved in illegal gambling, homicide and fraud syndicate were handed sentences between three and 20 years in prison.

Further sanctions imposed against the defendants included confiscation of assets, deportation, as well as monetary penalties.

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