A woman called the 'godmother' of a mafia-style gang in China's southern city of Chongqing has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for running underground casinos and bribing government officials.
A woman called the 'godmother' of a mafia-style gang in China's southern city of Chongqing has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for running underground casinos and bribing government officials.
The trial of Xie Caiping (46) is part of a months-long crackdown in the city that has exposed widespread government and police involvement in providing cover to numerous local gangs, or "black societies".
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Besides her luxury homes, Xie reportedly enjoyed her own Mercedes-Benz and "retained 16 young men for personal entertainment", local media reported.
The crackdown in Chongqing has been extensive, netting more than 1,544 suspects gangsters, prominent businessmen and 14 high-ranking officials.
Six gang members in the city have already been sentenced to death for crimes including murder and
blackmail, the first among hundreds expected to go on trial.
Cop's Kin
Xie is the sister-in-law of the city's long-serving deputy police chief, who was detained for investigation by the ruling Communist Party in August.
He is regarded as being the centre of an extensive network of protection of local gangs for over a decade.
She cursed in court when her trial started, which drew a rebuke from the judge, but delighted the public.
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