In a landmark ruling, a Chinese court in Guangdong province has sentenced 21 members of a family-run criminal syndicate based in northern Myanmar for a series of grave offenses, including the deaths of six Chinese nationals. The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court delivered the verdict on Tuesday, finding the defendants guilty of 12 charges, ranging from telecom fraud to intentional homicide and kidnapping. Among the convicted, five individuals, including ringleaders Bay Saw Chain and Bay Yin Chin, were handed the death penalty. Two others received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve, while five were sentenced to life imprisonment. The remaining defendants faced prison terms ranging from three to 20 years, alongside fines, asset confiscation, and deportation orders. The court revealed that the syndicate had established 41 scam compounds in Myanmar’s Kokang region, leveraging armed force and financial backing to carry out extensive criminal activities. These included telecom fraud, casino operations, illegal border crossings, and forced prostitution. The group’s actions resulted in significant harm, including six deaths, one suicide, and multiple injuries, with financial losses exceeding 29 billion yuan ($4.06 billion). Additionally, Bay Yin Chin was implicated in the smuggling and manufacturing of approximately 11 tons of methamphetamine. The sentencing was attended by Chinese legislators, political advisers, and families of the defendants, marking a significant step in addressing cross-border organized crime.