League of Legends World Champion Sentenced to Prison for Cannabis Trafficking
Curtis Lau Wai-Kin, better known by his gamer tag Toyz and a world champion in the MOBA game League of Legends (LoL), has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for trafficking cannabis.
Esports Star Organized a Cannabis Distribution Network
In 2020, Curtis Lau organized a drug trafficking ring and purchased 500 vape cartridges containing cannabinoids for 600,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $19,000 USD). He then instructed his associates to hire three people to sell the cartridges at prices ranging from 4,500 to 7,000 New Taiwan dollars (approximately $145 to $225 USD) each, seeking customers through the Telegram messenger app. Lau planned to split the profits equally among all members of the group.
On August 9, 2021, Taiwanese police ordered 154 cartridges from Lau’s accomplice, Lee, met him in the city of Taichung, and confiscated the illegal products. Lee testified against Lau, leading to the former esports star being charged with six counts of drug distribution and tried alongside seven accomplices.
Lau underwent rehabilitation for drug addiction and pleaded guilty to the charges in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. During the investigation, he was released on bail of 1.5 million New Taiwan dollars (about $47,000 USD). However, in 2023, the court sentenced him to four years and two months in prison.
League of Legends Star Fails to Escape Justice
Curtis Lau was dissatisfied with the court’s verdict and filed an appeal. Nevertheless, on April 25, the Supreme Court of Taiwan upheld the original sentence, meaning the former esports champion will have to spend more than four years behind bars.
Toyz’s Rise and Fall
Toyz rose to fame in 2012 when he and his team, Taipei Assassins, won the second League of Legends World Championship. In 2015, he retired from professional play and began coaching Taiwanese esports players. Apparently, Lau found his coaching salary insufficient and decided to make money by selling cannabis. However, he proved to be a less successful entrepreneur than he was a gamer, and his illegal business was quickly uncovered.