"Godmother" of underworld in SW China gets 18 years in jail

CHONGQING, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Organized crime boss Xie Caiping, labeled the "godmother of the underworld" in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, was sentenced 18 years in prison Tuesday.

Xie Caiping is escorted to leave the court after the sentences in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Nov. 3, 2009. Organized crime boss Xie Caiping, labeled the "godmother of the underworld" in Chongqing, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Tuesday. The other 21 accomplices, including officials who offered protection to gang members, were given jail terms ranging from one to 13 years in sentences by the Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

The other 21 people, including officials who offered protection to gang members, were given jail terms ranging from one to 13 years in sentences handed down at the Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court.

Xie was convicted of organizing and leading a criminal organization, running gambling dens, illegal imprisonment, harboring people taking illegal narcotics and giving bribes to officials.

She was also fined 1.02 million yuan (149,430 U.S. dollars).