VANCOUVER -- The family of alleged Asian crime boss Lai Tong Sang has arrived at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in Vancouver, but Lai is in Macau and will take part in the proceedings via telephone.
Lai, his wife, son and two daughters are fighting federal government efforts to remove them from Canada.
The family arrived in Vancouver in October 1996. At the same time police in Macau alleged Lai was the leader of the Wo On Lok gang.
RCMP and U.S. law enforcement officials say the gang is a branch of the Hong-Kong based Wo group, which has fingers in money laundering, prostitution, drugs and human smuggling, worldwide.
Lawyers for the Canada Border Service Agency are expected to argue Lai lied about his membership in a criminal organization so he could enter Canada.
During the hearing, which continues Wednesday and Thursday, they are also expected to allege Lai's wife and children misrepresented their immigration status.
