Zhao Wei (gangster)

Zhao Wei is a Chinese gangster and the founder of Hong Kong-registered company Kings Romans Group (formed in 2007),[1] which owns the Kings Romans casino franchise. Zhao Wei is currently under sanctions by the United States Treasury Department for his involvement in laundering money and assisting in the storage and distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and other narcotics for illicit networks, including the United Wa State Army which operates in Myanmar.[2] [3] [4] Based in Laos within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ), Zhao Wei is also reported to engage in human trafficking, bribery, wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime.[5] Much of this illicit activity is facilitated through the Kings Romans casino franchise located within the GTSEZ.[6]

For other people named Zhao Wei, see Zhao Wei (disambiguation).
In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhao.

Background

Born in Heilongjiang, China, Zhao Wei started out as a timber trader before moving into Macau in 1990s where he holds permanent residency and began investing on numerous casino establishments. In 2001, Zhao Wei moved to Mong La, Myanmar where he founded first casino franchise, Landun Entertainment. He established ties with National Democratic Alliance Army whose leader, Sai Leun financed the operations of the casino industry in Mong La. In 2005, China imposed a travel ban to Mong La following reports of officials gambling state funds. The travel ban led into shuttering of many casinos within the city.[1]

Involvement in Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone operations
Main article: Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone

Soon after the travel ban was imposed, Zhao was invited by government of Laos to invest in Bokeo Province.[1] In 2007, Zhao negotiated and struck a 99-year lease with them to establish and operate the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, which was located in the same province.[7][8] In early October 2020, a $50 million dollar investment to build a port in the Laotian town of Ban Mom, directly north of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, was made by Osiano Trading Sole Co., a partner or front company of Zhao Wei and his organization.[9] The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has raised concerns several times about Laos being used by organized crime to traffic drugs, precursor chemicals and other illicit commodities, and that the purchase of the Ban Mom port is a representation of organized crime infiltrating critical infrastructure in the region.[10] The Ban Mom port is located in the remote stretches of Mekong River which has been confirmed as a smuggling route for trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals into and out of the Golden Triangle.[11][12]

Personal life

Zhao Wei is married to Chinese Australian Su Guiqin (born 1960).[13] Alongside her husband, Su Guiqin runs the Kings Romans casino.[8]

References
  1. "SIN CITY: Illegal wildlife trade in Laos' Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone" (PDF). Environmental Investigation Agency. March 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  2. "Treasury Sanctions the Zhao Wei Transnational Criminal Organization". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 30 January 2018.
  3. "Treasury Action Targets Burtmese Drug Cartel". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 13 November 2008.
  4. Douglas, Jeremy (2019-03-19). "To disrupt money laundering, Canada should consider a different relationship with Asia". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  5. "Transnational Organized Crime in Southeast Asia: Evolution, Growth and Challenges". June 2019.
  6. Douglas, Jeremy (February 14, 2019). "Asian organized crime doubles down on casinos". CNN.
  7. "U.S. slaps sanctions on Laos golden triangle 'casino' in bid to break up narco-empire". Reuters. 2018-01-31.
  8. Parry, Simon (July 24, 2018). "A Mr Big of wildlife trafficking: could elusive Laos casino operator be behind rackets that run to drugs, child prostitution?". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2021-01-06. (Subscription required.)
  9. "Chinese Casino Kingpin Behind New Mekong Port to Serve Golden Triangle SEZ in Laos". Radio Free Asia. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  10. Berlinger, Joshua (2020-12-08). "Is an alleged drug kingpin from China investing millions in a port in Laos?". CNN. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  11. Strangio, Sebastian (October 13, 2020). "Golden Triangle Casino Baron Bankrolls New Mekong River Port". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  12. Kundu, Ankur (December 11, 2020). "Chinese Druglord reportedly investing in a Port in Laos". FleetMon. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. "US Busts a Chinese Golden Triangle Billionaire". Asia Sentinel. February 7, 2018. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
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