Organized crime boss to be freed in Macau
Source: Agencies |
December 1, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
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THE Asian gambling mecca of Macau is bracing for the release today of a notorious organized crime boss who was at the center of the gangland violence that plagued the city in the late 1990s.
Wan Kuok-koi, also known as "Broken Tooth Koi," is scheduled to walk free from Coloane Prison sometime between midnight yesterday and noon today after serving most of a 15-year sentence, the Macau government said.
Wan was convicted of loan sharking, money laundering and being a gang leader in November 1999. As head of Macau's 14K triad, Wan waged a brutal war with rival triads, or organized crime gangs, for dominance of the lucrative VIP rooms in Macau's casinos.
Wan was arrested shortly after a bomb destroyed the car of Macau's director of investigative police, Antonio Marques Baptista, who was unharmed by the assassination attempt because he was out jogging at the time of the blast.
According to news reports in Macau and nearby Hong Kong, authorities have been preparing for his release by warning hotels and casinos to tighten security and plan to keep a close eye on him after he gets out.
Officials have also warned Wan to behave after his release, the reports said.
The measures are a response to fears that Wan's release would be followed by a return to the former gang violence that rocked Macau and claimed dozens of lives in the city, including 37 in 1999 alone.
Some worry he'll try to get involved again with junkets, which arrange for wealthy Chinese mainland gamblers to come to Macau, lend them money and make big profits by collecting on debts.
But analysts say when Wan leaves prison, he'll likely find he has lost much of his power.
Macau's decision to end a four-decade casino monopoly in 2002 opened the way for foreign operators to modernize the industry.
Las Vegas Sands Corp, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts Ltd have all opened glitzy resorts in recent years. Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal.
"Wan Kuok-koi is yesterday's man," said Steve Vickers, a former head of intelligence at Hong Kong's police force who is now chief executive of business intelligence and risk consultancy SVA.
"Whilst Wan remains connected with his previous gang members, there is just no room for the wild bunch in Macau anymore. He will be neutralized should he create trouble," said Vickers.
Wan Kuok-koi, also known as "Broken Tooth Koi," is scheduled to walk free from Coloane Prison sometime between midnight yesterday and noon today after serving most of a 15-year sentence, the Macau government said.
Wan was convicted of loan sharking, money laundering and being a gang leader in November 1999. As head of Macau's 14K triad, Wan waged a brutal war with rival triads, or organized crime gangs, for dominance of the lucrative VIP rooms in Macau's casinos.
Wan was arrested shortly after a bomb destroyed the car of Macau's director of investigative police, Antonio Marques Baptista, who was unharmed by the assassination attempt because he was out jogging at the time of the blast.
According to news reports in Macau and nearby Hong Kong, authorities have been preparing for his release by warning hotels and casinos to tighten security and plan to keep a close eye on him after he gets out.
Officials have also warned Wan to behave after his release, the reports said.
The measures are a response to fears that Wan's release would be followed by a return to the former gang violence that rocked Macau and claimed dozens of lives in the city, including 37 in 1999 alone.
Some worry he'll try to get involved again with junkets, which arrange for wealthy Chinese mainland gamblers to come to Macau, lend them money and make big profits by collecting on debts.
But analysts say when Wan leaves prison, he'll likely find he has lost much of his power.
Macau's decision to end a four-decade casino monopoly in 2002 opened the way for foreign operators to modernize the industry.
Las Vegas Sands Corp, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts Ltd have all opened glitzy resorts in recent years. Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal.
"Wan Kuok-koi is yesterday's man," said Steve Vickers, a former head of intelligence at Hong Kong's police force who is now chief executive of business intelligence and risk consultancy SVA.
"Whilst Wan remains connected with his previous gang members, there is just no room for the wild bunch in Macau anymore. He will be neutralized should he create trouble," said Vickers.
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