the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate Court, in China

the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate Court, in China, handed down a death sentence with a two-year reprieve to a ringleader of a gang that allegedly controlled the local sand market. Li Zhi was convicted of ten offences related to gang activities, including murder, gun ownership and trafficking, coercive trading and bribery. According to the court ruling, Li organized the gang in 2004 and, after a series of violent crimes and bribery, monopolized the production and sale of construction-use sand in the Changshou district of Chongqing. In addition, Li bribed two local officials, who in exchange offered protection for Li's gang, said the ruling. The court has ordered the confiscation of 9 million yuan (1.4 million U.S. dollars) of Li's personal assets and deprived him of political rights for life.