A crime syndicate accused of homicide, false imprisonment and organized prostitution has been destroyed in Shaoyang, Central China's Hunan Province, with 30 gang members detained or arrested, and 43 government officials connected with the syndicate relieved of their posts while undergoing investigation.
The head of the Shaoyang-based gang, Yao Zhihong, 39, and his criminal group are suspected of committing 14 crimes including operating a criminal syndicate, homicide, committing false imprisonment, illegally holding firearms, and organizing others to engage in prostitution.
Police arrested nearly all the gang members while they were attending a party held by Yao to celebrate his son's birthday at a hotel in Shaoyang on June 6, the Legal Daily reported Sunday.
Meanwhile, 43 officials from local government who attended the party have been forced to leave their duties and face investigation.
Most of the officials are suspected of obtaining illegal profits or providing shield for the gang's criminal activities, said Jiang Jianguo, secretary of Shaoyang Party Committee.
Jiang told the suspected officials to admit to their guilt as soon as possible for lenient treatment, otherwise, they will be punished severely under Chinese law.
Yao was once a worker at a chemistry factory in Shaoyang. He opened a pawnshop and collected huge sums of money through loans, extorting money, running a gambling house, and other illegal activities.
(China Daily June 17, 2002)
