Myanmar Wa family crime syndicate sentenced in China: 3 get death
Chinese courts sentenced three leaders of the Myanmar-based Wei family crime syndicate to death for telecom fraud, murder and other crimes. Six others received life terms, and 55 were given prison sentences ranging from three to 24 years.
Courts in Fujian province have handed down first-instance verdicts in the case of the Myanmar-based Wei family crime syndicate, sentencing three defendants to death and 55 others to prison terms.
The Quanzhou Intermediate People's Court and Nan'an City People's Court publicly announced the sentences on Tuesday. Wei Huairen and two other defendants received the death penalty, while Wei Qingtao and two others were given life imprisonment. The remaining 55 defendants were sentenced to between three years and three months and 24 years in prison, along with fines, confiscation of property and deportation, the courts said.
According to the courts, since 2019 the group used its family's influence in Myanmar's Kokang region to set up multiple crime compounds, attracting and recruiting 'financiers' to operate there while providing armed protection. The syndicate was involved in telecom and internet fraud, running casinos, extortion, organised prostitution, drug trafficking and organising illegal border crossings, involving more than 12.2 billion yuan.
The group and its armed organisation also killed Chinese citizens, the courts said. The defendants were convicted of organising, leading or participating in a criminal group, with their actions constituting seven offences including intentional homicide and fraud.