The Big Circle Gang: How a Chinese Prison Gang Took Over Canada’s Underworld (80s-Present)
- staysafevancouver
- Feb 23
- 5 min read
Key Takeaways
Origins: The Big Circle Gang (大圈幫) formed in China’s prison camps in the late 1950s-60s by former Red Guards.
Expansion: Spread to Hong Kong in the 1970s, then to Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
Criminal Activities: Involved in racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering.
Notable Figures: Tse Chi Lop (key leader, arrested in 2021), Kon Yu-Lueng (one of the biggest heroin traffickers).
Alliances & Rivalries: Worked with The Company, American Mafia, MS-13, and Red Wa; rivals with 14K Triad, Bloods, Crips, and Aryan gangs.
Origins: From Red Guards to Criminal Empire
The Big Circle Gang has roots tracing back to Mao Zedong’s Communist purges of the early 1950s. Mao Zedong’s Red Guards (a paramilitary youth movement) became so uncontrollable that Mao himself turned against them.
Thousands of Red Guards were arrested and sent to prison camps in Guangzhou, where they fought for survival.
Originally composed of former ultra-leftists and Red Guards imprisoned in Chinese labor camps, the group evolved into a violent and disciplined criminal organization.
These camps, marked by red circles on maps, gave birth to the Big Circle Gang (大圈幫).
By the 1970s, after escaping or being released from prison, many of these individuals relocated to Hong Kong, where they formed small, violent groups modeled after traditional triads.
By the 1980s, the gang had expanded internationally, particularly to Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., where they engaged in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, and high-profile contract killings.
The Gang’s Rise in Canada and the West
The 1990s saw the Big Circle Gang rise in power in Vancouver, Toronto, and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Their influence extended to major organized crime networks, including connections with the United Nations Gang, Red Scorpions, and Independent Soldiers.
With globalization, the gang’s focus shifted from armed robberies to more lucrative crimes. Their operations evolved to include:
Drug Trafficking: They played a pivotal role in smuggling heroin from Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle and later expanded into the fentanyl trade, fueling North America's opioid crisis.
Human Trafficking & Illegal Immigration: Authorities uncovered multiple passport forgery rings operated by the gang, with one case in 1990 charging $20,000 per fake passport.
Cybercrime & Financial Fraud: The gang moved into credit card fraud, counterfeit currency, and digital piracy, dominating illicit markets in Canada and beyond.
The Murder of Hong Chao “Raymond” Huang
Hong Chao “Raymond” Huang was shot dead outside his yellow mansion in Vancouver’s upscale Shaughnessy neighborhood.
His 10-year-old daughter, a student at West Point Grey Academy, was the one who called the police. She reportedly withdrew from school shortly after.
A leader of the Big Circle Boys, Huang had extensive criminal ties spanning Toronto, the U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and China. He was believed to be a major figure in the global trade of heroin and synthetic drugs, operating a vast network of small, tightly controlled cells.
Notorious Leaders: Tse Chi Lop and Kon Yu-Lueng
Tse Chi Lop (The “Asian El Chapo”)
One of the most influential figures in the Big Circle Gang’s history, Tse Chi Lop, is a 59-year-old alleged mastermind behind one of the world’s largest drug syndicates.
He was extradited to Australia in December 2022, facing life imprisonment for his role in a multibillion-dollar drug operation spanning across the Asia-Pacific region.
Arrived in Canada in 1988, forging partnerships with Montreal’s Rizzuto family and South American cartels.
Built a $8-18 billion drug empire under Sam Gor (The Company).
Arrested in 2021 in Amsterdam after a decade-long international investigation.
Tse controlled nearly 70% of the drug trade into Australia, smuggling vast quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and ketamine into the country.
His organization used elaborate smuggling techniques, including concealing drugs in packs of tea.
The Global Manhunt and Arrest
After more than a decade of pursuit, Tse was finally arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in January 2021 while attempting to board a flight.
His capture was part of Operation Kungur, a global law enforcement effort involving 20 agencies across continents, with Australia leading the charge.
Extradition and Court Proceedings
Following a nearly two-year legal battle, Tse was flown under heavy security to Melbourne, Australia, where armed officers escorted him off the plane.
He was scheduled to appear in court facing charges related to a A$4.4 million methamphetamine operation from 2012-2013.
Luxury and Wealth from Drug Proceeds
Authorities discovered the extent of Tse’s illicit empire when they raided properties in Melbourne, uncovering:
A$4 million in cash
99 designer handbags
A yellow Lamborghini
Millions hidden in bags and petrol tanks
Tse has denied all charges, claiming that his arrest was orchestrated illegally by Australian authorities. He previously served nine years in a U.S. prison in the 1990s for drug trafficking before returning to lead his syndicate.
His extradition marks a major blow to the Big Circle Gang’s operations, but authorities warn that the syndicate’s vast network remains active.
Kon Yu-Lueng (“Johnny Kon”)
Another key player, Kon Yu-Lueng, was responsible for trafficking massive quantities of heroin:
1985: His couriers were caught with 97 kg of heroin in Seattle.
1988: Arrested for smuggling 453 kg of heroin into the U.S.
Allies and Rivals: The Gang’s Dangerous Connections
Allies
Sam Gor (The Company) – A massive global syndicate controlling drug supply chains.
MS-13 & Asian Boyz – Violent street gangs providing enforcement and logistics.
American Mafia & Colombian Cartels – Key partners in the global drug trade.
Rivals
14K Triad – Their most bitter enemies, locked in a bloody turf war.
Bloods, Crips & Aryan Brotherhood – Competing for control over lucrative drug markets.
Canadian Law Enforcement – A constant adversary trying to dismantle their networks.
Major Events in Big Circle Gang History
Year | Event Description |
1966-1968 | Red Guards formed, then purged by Mao Zedong. |
1969-1975 | Red Guards imprisoned in Guangzhou, later escape to Hong Kong. |
1980s | Expansion to Canada, the U.S., and Europe. |
1985 | Heroin trafficker Kon Yu-Lueng’s couriers arrested in Seattle. |
1988 | Tse Chi Lop arrives in Canada, forming global alliances. |
1990 | Fake passport ring exposed, smuggling criminals into Canada. |
2009 | Canadian police label the gang one of the largest criminal conspiracies. |
2021 | Tse Chi Lop arrested in Amsterdam under Operation Kungur. |
Final Thoughts: The Big Circle Gang’s Enduring Legacy
Despite major arrests and law enforcement crackdowns, the Big Circle Gang remains a force in global organized crime.
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