A gang of six people were given sentences ranging from death to 15 years in jail for trafficking drugs, according to a ruling handed down by a court in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

According to the investigation of the Jinzhou Intermediate People's Court, Hao Chen, the ringleader, and Bai Yingna bought 330 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as "ice", in southern Guangdong Province in December 2006 and then sold the drug in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province.

In March this year, Hao, together with Bai and her boy friend Han Tao, went to Guangzhou and bought 900 methamphetamine tablets, also known as "Yaba", from a person surnamed Duan.

The next day, they bought more than 400 grams of "ice" and 400 Yaba tablets from a person nicknamed "Gan Hong", with the aid of another two accomplices Feng Zhiyong and Lao Guixin.

The day after, they bought 497 more grams of Yaba tablets from Deng Jianlin.

The court sentenced Hao Chen and Han Tao to death and life imprisonment for trafficking 1,380 grams and 1,050 grams of ice respectively.

Bai Yingna, was given a 15-year sentence for smuggling 1,380 grams of "ice".

Feng Zhiyong and Lao Guixin, were convicted of assisting in trafficking 470 grams of drugs and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Deng Jianlin, was sentenced to death, reprieved for two years, while the other two sellers, Duan and "Gan Hong" are still on the run, said the court.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2007)