A Chinese court has sentenced five top members of an infamous Myanmar mafia to death as Beijing continues its crackdown on scam operations in Southeast Asia.
In all, 21 members and associates of the Bai family were convicted of fraud, homicide, injury, and other crimes, according to a state media report published by the court.
The Bai family is known for transforming the impoverished town of Laukkaing into a hub of criminal activity, including casinos and trafficking operations that have victimized thousands of Chinese citizens.
Mafia leader Bai Suocheng and his son Bai Yingcang are among the five men sentenced to death by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court, with additional sentences including suspended death penalties, life imprisonment, and shorter jail terms for others involved.
Authorities revealed that the Bai family established 41 compounds dedicated to their criminal activities, accumulating over 29 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $4.1 billion) from their scams, which also resulted in multiple deaths and severe injuries.
The harsh sentences are part of China's broader campaign to dismantle these nefarious networks and act as a significant deterrent to other organized crime syndicates.
The Bai family, once supported by Myanmar's military government, saw its power wane following increased international scrutiny and intervention. Their downfall culminated when Chinese law enforcement issued warrants for prominent members, leading to their eventual capture and extradition to China.
Authorities are determined to show that severe consequences await any individuals or families profiting from such heinous activities against the Chinese people.
