A?suspected mob master who ran the most lavish prostitution chain in Chongqing Municipality pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of bribery, possession of deadly weapons, and organizing prostitution.

The trial of 41-year old Yue Ning was the latest move in Chongqing's massive crackdown on criminal gangs. The court said the trial will last six days, reported Cqnews.net.

Another 30 gang members stood trial with Yue for roles in controlling the high-end entertainment business in the city for nine years.

He is the first gang master in Chongqing's crackdown to plead guilty at trial.

Prosecutors said Yue's "Hao White House Club" had more than 200 prostitutes and was the scene of more than 2,000 sex trades from December 2008 to May 2009.

The whole record of sex trading in Yue's club could not be obtained as Yue ordered his accountants to destroy most of the account books, the court heard.

Yue was a legend in Chongqing's nightclub business. He was the president of Chongqing's newest and most extravagant nightclub.

An advertisement Yue made on local Websites and street posters in 2005, featuring pictures of scantily clad waitresses, said he spent 12 million yuan (US$1.76 million) on decorating the nightclub.

Since 1998, Yue and his alleged gang members edged other prostitution houses near his nightclub out of business through violent threats and vandalism.

The court also heard that the city's former deputy police chief and justice bureau director, Wen Qiang, took bribes to help cover up Yue's crimes.

Wen will face a separate trial on charges of rape, bribery and offering protection to gangs.