World Narcotics Hub<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe Golden Triangle refers to the area where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet, at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers.<\/p>\n
It has long been one of the world\u2019s largest opium producing regions, and more recently, the largest producer of methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
According to the Treasury, Zhao also facilitates \u201cthe storage and distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, and other narcotics for illicit networks, including the United Wa State Army\u201d \u2013 the largest of many militia groups based in the area, mainly across the border in Myanmar.<\/p>\n
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The US Government imposed sanctions on Zhao in 2018. This prohibits American citizens from doing business with him, while any assets he might have held in the US would have been frozen. But it hasn\u2019t dented his expansion plans.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAs well as examining the Plain of Jars site, Zhao recently met with the governor of Saravan province in southern Laos to discuss the possibility of developing an airport and \u201cinvesting in several agricultural and tourism development projects,\u201d RFA reported.<\/p>\n
CNN reported in December that Zhao was in the process of building a port in the Golden Triangle, 12 miles upriver from the Kings Romans Casino.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
US-sanctioned casino tycoon Zhao Wei is planning to expand his business interests in Laos, and one site earmarked for development in Southeast Asian nation is next door to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chinese citizen Zhao\u2019s business empire was once described by the US Treasury Department as a \u201chorrendous\u201d transnational criminal organization, accusations he has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":170216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Casino Baron Zhao Wei Mulls Expansion to Laos World Heritage Site<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n