■ United States
`Snakehead' gets 35 years
A businesswoman in New York's Chinatown, described as one of the most successful "snakeheads" of all time, was sentenced on Wednesday to 35 years in prison for operating an immigrant-smuggling ring. Cheng Chui Ping, 57, also known as "Sister Ping," was the mastermind behind a multi-million dollar operation that led to the "Golden Venture" ship disaster in 1993. Ten people died when the freight ship crammed with illegal immigrants ran aground off New York's Rockaway Beach. Ping was convicted last June on charges that included conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, money laundering and trafficking in ransom proceeds.
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