US sanctions ex-Macau triad leader ‘Broken Tooth’ Wan Kuok-koi
- The Treasury alleges that Wan is expanding criminal activities throughout Southeast Asia on the back of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Sanctions were placed on Wan, his Cambodia-based World Hongmen group, and his Hong Kong-based Dongmei Group
The US Treasury slapped sanctions on Wednesday on convicted former Macau organised crime figure known as “Broken Tooth”, alleging he is expanding criminal activities throughout Southeast Asia on the back of a major Beijing infrastructure initiative.
Wan Kuok-koi, the head of the powerful 14K triad has built operations in Cambodia, Myanmar and Palau since being released from Macau prison eight years ago, the Treasury said.
It called Wan a member of the Communist Party of China’s Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference who has attached his criminal operations to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-year plan to build economic and political networks throughout developing countries.
It said Wan’s Cambodia-based World Hongmen History and Culture Association has been a front for criminal activities, developing and launching cryptocurrencies, dealing in real estate and casinos, and establishing a security company focused on Belt and Road Initiative investments.
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Belt and Road Initiative explained
With the Belt and Road Initiative as a vehicle, the Treasury said, “the 14K triad is utilising Broken Tooth’s World Hongmen History and Culture Association as an effort to legitimise itself”.