Lau Wai Kin, widely known in the esports world as "Toyz," has pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking in Taiwan,according to a report by Taiwan's Central News Agency. The former League of Legends world champion appeared before the Taichung District Prosecutors' Office on June 16, 2022, facing allegations of selling marijuana pods.

Mr. Lau, who transitioned from professional gaming to content creation, apologized during his court appearance and urged the public to steer clear of drugs. "I deeply regret my actions and hope others learn from my mistakes," he said.

Appearing in the Taichung District Court, Mr. Lau pleaded guilty to all charges. He stated that he was under significant pressure after leaving a rehabilitation center and expressed remorse over his involvement with drugs. His attorney, Liu Weijian, appealed to the court for leniency, citing Mr. Lau's unfamiliarity with Taiwanese laws.

The legal proceedings stem from Mr. Lau's arrest in late 2021 in Taipei on suspicion of marijuana trafficking. Authorities accused him of forming a drug syndicate with associates in late 2019, allegedly selling products containing THC online. Taiwanese police conducted a sting operation by posing as drug buyers, leading to the arrest of Mr. Lau and seven others.

The case sparked widespread discussion within the esports community and among Taiwanese celebrities. Actor and singer Hsieh Ho-hsien publicly showed support for Mr. Lau by posting a photo of himself smoking on social media. Marijuana use is heavily stigmatized in Taiwan, with distribution potentially resulting in a life sentence.

Source: Hsieh Ho-hsien's Facebook Page

In a separate legal matter, Mr. Lau's YouTube manager and employee, Zhou Zhou, accused him of fraudulent gambling and intimidation. The lawsuit was settled out of court. The agreement stipulated that certain media assets and four YouTube channels would be returned to Mr. Lau, his debt to Zhou Zhou would be canceled, and both parties would withdraw their allegations against each other.

Mr. Lau rose to prominence as a professional League of Legends player, most notably as the mid laner for the Taipei Assassins during their victory at the Season 2 World Championships. Renowned for his skill with characters like Orianna and Anivia, he was considered by many to be the tournament's most valuable player. In recent years, he transitioned to work as an influencer and content creator.