In 2003, the police in Maoming, Guangdong, disguised themselves as fishing enthusiasts and entered a fishpond in Pingdang Village, where they uncovered a horrifying scene. The fishpond owner, Li Jiaquan, a notorious local man with a criminal history, had been exploiting mentally ill women in a series of illegal activities since 1996. These women were kept in the fishpond, where they were forced into prostitution.
Li, a former convict, had developed a network with a local psychiatric hospital to traffic women, primarily mentally ill, for sexual exploitation. He kept the women under cruel conditions, often chained and beaten. Over the years, more than fifty women were enslaved by him. Some were sold off, while others died under brutal treatment, with their bodies disposed of.
The case came to light after an altercation between a man, Ling Yasheng, and a mentally ill woman in early July 2003. Ling, who had been trafficking the woman, confessed to the authorities, leading to Li's arrest. During a raid at Li's property, police discovered the women in the fishpond, held captive in shocking conditions.
Li was later convicted of human trafficking and organizing prostitution, though his careful methods meant he avoided the death penalty. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2003. This case highlighted a dark and hidden crime ring operating under the guise of a quiet fishpond, exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit.
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