Beijing: A Chinese court has executed four high-ranking leaders of the Bai criminal clan, formerly one of the four most powerful families in the Kokang region of northern Myanmar.

According to Thai News Agency, China's state-run CCTV reported that the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court carried out the executions. The individuals were found guilty of intentional homicide linked to the torture of victims who were lured into working for the gang and attempted to flee, resulting in the deaths of at least six Chinese citizens. Among those executed was Bai Yingchang, son of the family patriarch Bai Suocheng. Bai Yingchang was responsible for controlling the family's armed forces and managing its illicit business operations. The other three executed were identified as high-ranking members and henchmen of the gang. Bai Suocheng had previously passed away from illness while in custody.

The Bai family criminal gang had established its base in Laoggai, swindling numerous Chinese victims and causing financial damages exceeding 29 billion yuan (approximately 145 billion baht). Bai Yingchang was also implicated in the production and trafficking of over 11 tons of crystal methamphetamine.

China intensified its crackdown on scammer gangs in Myanmar in late 2023, facilitating the Myanmar Brotherhood Alliance's offensive in Laukkai to tackle these criminal organizations. Members of the Bai family and other families were purged, arrested, and extradited to China in early 2024 for prosecution. Chinese authorities spent two years on investigations and trials before executing the convicted members.

This recent execution follows the execution of 11 members of the Ming family last week. The cases involving the Wei and Liu families, who were also influential in Laukkai, Shan State, before the crackdown, are still under investigation.