CHINA MULLS DEATH PENALTY FOR ‘GUTTER OIL’ CRIMES

February 23, 2012: China will intensify its crackdown on illegal “gutter oil” trade and give the death penalty in serious offences, the government said.
The courts must give full consideration to the amount of money involved and harm done to the public when ruling in such cases, the public security ministry said.
For those deserving, death penalties must be resolutely given, it said. Harsh punishments should also be given to officials who fail to check the menace.
Chinese Police have arrested some 800 people suspected to be involved in the illegal trade since August 2011, Xinhua reported.
The gutter oil is leftover cooking oil collected from restaurant gutters for reprocess and reuse. (Sources: IANS, 24/02/2012)