On September 29, the Intermediate People's Court of Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, delivered a first-instance verdict on the "Myanmar Ming Family Criminal Group" case, sentencing 11 principal offenders to death. The gang was accused of engaging in long-term transnational criminal activities such as telecommunications fraud, gambling, and drug trafficking within Myanmar, and was involved in multiple fatal violent incidents. This case is regarded as an important judicial action in China's fight against cross-border crime, marking the complete destruction of the Ming family crime group that had been entrenched in the Kokang region of Myanmar for many years.
Basic Case Information and Verdict
On September 29, 2023, the Intermediate People's Court of Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, publicly pronounced the first-instance verdict on the "Myanmar Ming Family Criminal Group" case. The court sentenced Ming Guoping, Ming Zhenzhen, Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming, Wu Senlong, Fu Yubin, and other 11 defendants to death, with an additional 5 people receiving a two-year suspended death sentence.
In addition, 11 defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment, and 12 people were sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment ranging from twenty-four years to five years. The court also imposed fines, confiscation of property, and deportation as additional penalties.
Organization and Scope of Criminal Activities
The court found that since 2015, the Ming family crime group, relying on its family influence in the Kokang region of Myanmar and backed by armed forces, had long been entrenched in areas such as Laojie, Shiyuanzi, and Qingshuihe. The group established specialized zones to shelter multiple "financial backers" who engaged in illegal criminal activities.
The gang mainly engaged in telecommunications fraud, operating casinos, drug trafficking, and prostitution as part of their transnational criminal activities. Investigations revealed that the involved funds exceeded 10 billion yuan, demonstrating the scale of the organization's criminal activities and economic impact.
Violent Acts and Consequences
The court found that the crime group's internal methods were extremely brutal, beating or even killing those who attempted to escape or disobeyed management, resulting in 10 deaths and 2 injuries.
On October 20, 2023, to prevent the transfer of fraud suspects to Chinese authorities, armed members of the group opened fire, causing 4 deaths and 4 injuries. These violent acts fully demonstrated the social harm of the criminal organization.
Crime Charges and Sentencing Basis
The court identified defendants like Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen as core members of the criminal group, with crimes including fraud, intentional homicide, and intentional injury among 14 charges. The verdict was based on the social harm and severity of the criminal acts.
The sentencing took into account the organization's structure, violence, economic scale, and the resulting loss of life, issuing corresponding legal penalties.
Case Trial and Public Attention
On the day of the verdict, over 160 people including NPC deputies, CPPCC members, defendants' family members, and the public attended the hearing. The atmosphere in the courtroom was solemn, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the level of public interest.
The trial process strictly followed judicial procedures, ensuring the defendants' rights to litigation and reflecting the principle of law-based case handling by Chinese judicial authorities.
Significance and Impact of the Case
This case is considered one of the landmark cases in recent years in China's fight against cross-border telecommunications fraud and criminal forces. The verdict highlights China's determination and capability to combat transnational crime and maintain security and stability in border areas.
The trial's outcome also signifies the complete eradication of the "Ming family" crime organization that had been entrenched in the Kokang region of Myanmar for many years, deterring similar transnational criminal organizations and helping to maintain regional security order and social stability.
