14 people charged after police bust illegal gaming house in Chinatown basement
Multiple people are facing charges after Toronto Police uncovered an illegal gaming house in the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood.
The Toronto Police Service said officers were called to an address near Dundas Street and Spadina Avenue around 8 pm on January 29, after receiving reports of a person with a gun.
Police allege that once on scene, officers discovered 14 people and evidence of illegal gaming in the basement of the building.
A “large amount of seized money” was also recovered.
Under Ontario’s Stay-at-Home order, indoor gatherings are only permitted with members of the same household.
Each of the 14 people has been charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and the Criminal Code, police said.
Toronto residents Chung Tseung, 53, Li Na Huang, 40, Chen Shunying, 42, Cai Wenfeng, 48, Chen Yachao 30, and Dong Cuiang, 42, are all facing one charge of being found in a betting or gambling house.
Mississauga residents Yi-Mie Chen, 38, Pham Tra-My, 46, Liew Mong Ha, 51, and Markham residents Lixian Chen, 30, Bing Lin, 41, Fung-Sin Wong, 56, face the same charge, as do A-chi Hoac, 62, of Oakville, and Liu Yiyong, 44, of Whitby.
They are all scheduled to appear in court on March 25 at 11 am.
Officers from the service’s Financial Crimes Unit – Asset Forfeiture section, have been called in to assist the Major Crime Unit with the money that was obtained in the arrest.
The investigation is ongoing, and Toronto Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-1400. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.