Trudeau Dodges Questions About His Meetings With Claimed Illegal Casino Operator

Earlier this year, on July 23, 2020, York Regional Police stormed a 20,000-square-foot mansion in Markham, Ontario, where they arrested dozens of people and seized millions in cash and property. The bust, dubbed Project End Game by the police, targeted a high-end, illegal gambling operation run out of the home of one Wei Wei.

Now, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s connection with the leader of this ring is being questioned. When asked about it, Trudeau dodged the questions about the reports that he met with Wei Wei twice in 2016.

Operation Project End Game

Police first started hearing about these illegal activities in late 2019. However, it was only on July 3 of this year that a search warrant was executed at a Midland Avenue residence in Toronto. $25,000 in cash, as well as gambling tables and video slot machines, was seized and five people arrested for gaming offences.

Then, there was an indication that the Markham mansion was also a site of illegal gambling. The first attempt of the raid was deemed too dangerous because there were children present and armed guards stationed around the property. However, the July 23 bust uncovered a fully functioning casino operation. 

A 32-year-old man, the alleged operator, was arrested among dozens of other people. Other than millions of dollars in cash and $1.5 million in alcohol, almost a dozen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized. This massive operation included mahjong tables and slot machines, and it is believed that the upper part of the home served as a bed and breakfast with suspicions that prostitution was also taking place.

This led to another raid in Vaughan, where a 52-year-old man, thought to be Wei Wei, was arrested alongside his wife and daughter. $70,000 was seized in cash as well as another $10 million in assets. By the end of September, dozens of others were arrested, facing multiple charges.

Wei Wei’s connection to Trudeau

But, who is Wei Wei and how is he connected to the Prime Minister? 

The alleged mastermind behind what the participants were calling “Mackenzie No. 5 Club” came to Canada some 10 years ago as part of the investor-immigrant program. He is known as a well-connected property developer in the Toronto area and part of the Canada-China Realty Professional Association. There are almost 50 properties registered under the name Wei Wei, records indicate.

Seeing as how Wei was moving in high circles of Canada’s business and political scene not long before this, he is thought to have met with Prime Minister Trudeau at least twice in 2016. Both were attending a Liberal fundraiser that attracted a lot of attention due to how it changed the approach Liberals take when organizing fundraisers. 

Another occasion where the two met was a meeting of the China Cultural Industry Association with Trudeau, where they were even pictured together.

Conservatives pressed Trudeau about his connections to Wei Wei who allegedly also has ties to the Chinese Communist Party and questioned how the Prime Minister can protect Canadian interests when in the proximity of CCP elites. Trudeau’s response didn’t mention the CCIA meeting whatsoever and only stated that the Liberal Party’s fundraising events are open to the media and that the lists of attendees are published. He also encouraged the Conservative Party to do the same. 

“We have always followed all the rules around fundraising and will continue to, but we actually went above and beyond that in making sure all of our fundraisers are done in public spaces and we invite the media to it and publish the list of people who attend,” Trudeau said.

The safety of players in casinos

Finally, it’s important to remember that not all gambling is illegal and unsafe. There are plenty of online and land-based casinos that are regulated and licensed by gambling authorities and follow their jurisdiction’s gambling rules. 

Still, seeing as how the coronavirus is still not under control, it might be better to opt for live-dealer online casinos as, that way, both the players and operators can stay safe. When deciding on a casino, it’s best to look for safe and reputable ones, such as those recommended by Legalbetting. These live-dealer casinos have become incredibly popular thanks to the live-action and thanks to being able to interact with live dealers and players, via a chatbox which is making the game more sociable and entertaining. 

Those responsible for these illegal activities are facing various charges, from possession of weapons and proceeds of crime to illegal operation of a betting house. Perhaps we will soon have more information on whether the connection between Trudeau and Wei is deeper than it seems.

lead photo Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attending the Ontario Summer Games in 2017, photo by Ontario Summer Games, wikicommons

sponsored post, November 2020