146
A
t the top-tier of the
Chinese criminal
hierarchy are the Triad
societies, with 250,000 members
worldwide and representation in
Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
southeast Asia, and in Chinatowns
worldwide. Triad members range
from low-level thugs to those who
occupy positions in politics and
the criminal justice system.
The three most powerful Triad
societies are the Sun Yee On, 14K,
and Wo Shing Wo. Founded by
Heung Chin in 1919 in Hong Kong,
the Sun Yee On is the largest, with
approximately 55,000 members. Its
operations extend to southeast
Asia, Australia, Europe, and NorthIN CONTEXT
LOCATION
China and worldwideTHEME
International crime
syndicatesBEFORE
1761–1911 The Heaven and
Earth Society is established
in southeastern China as a
secret sect; after 1911, it
evolves into the Triads.AFTER
1850s The “Tong” brotherhood
originates among Chinese
expatriates in the US, and
acquires a reputation for
trafficking women.1990 The Asian-American
street gang Jackson Street
Boys forms in San Francisco,
US, and becomes involved in
extortion, racketeering, and
narcotics trafficking.THEY DARE
DO ANYTHING
THE TRIADS, MID-1800s–
146-149_Triad_Gangs.indd 146 02/12/2016 14:43
147
See also: The Sicilian Mafia 138–45 ■ The Yakuza 154–59 ■ The Medellín Cartel 166–67and Central America. Since the late
2000s, it has acquired a reputation
for trafficking methamphetamine
(crystal meth), and for supplying
Mexican drug cartels with the raw
materials needed to produce it.
Sun Yee On’s main rivals are
the 14K. Founded in Guangzhou in
1945, the 14K moved its base to
Hong Kong in 1949 and also formed
a major branch in Macau during the
1970s. It is the second largest Triad,
with 25,000 members.
The Wo Shing Wo emerged
from Toronto’s Chinatown in 1930
before it transferred its operations
to Hong Kong in 1931; it also has
a strong presence in London’s
Chinatown. The Wo Shing Wo is
allegedly the top narcotics trafficker
in Hong Kong.Early origins
Most historians trace the origins of
the Triads to the Heaven and Earth
Society – a secretive fraternal
organization founded in 1761 in
southeastern China. Also known as
the Hung Clan, the sect regarded
the ruling Qing Dynasty, based in
Manchuria, as “foreigners” and
plotted their overthrow. Among
their other activities during the
18th century, the Hung Clan
conspired with foreign merchants
to import opium. The English word
“Triad” first appeared in reference
to the triangular motifs on Hung
Clan banners.
The Triads are believed to have
been a driving force in the Xinhai
Revolution of 1911. This finallyended Qing rule and led to the
establishment of the Republic of
China. After this time, the Triads
found new purpose and gained
significant wealth through illegal
gambling and prostitution.Triad hierarchy
Triads are devoted to the ancient
rituals and symbols of their
founders. As such, they rely on
traditional Chinese numerology
corresponding to the I Ching to
structure their organization.
The leader of a Triad, who makes
the executive decisions, is known
as the Dragon Head with the
number designation 489. He is
assisted by one or more office-
bearing ranks, designated with
the number 438, which include his
Deputy and the Incense Master –
usually a senior official in terms of
rank and age. The lowest officer
ranks – 415, 426, and 432 – include
Enforcers, who work as military
commanders. Non-office-bearingORGANIZED CRIME
The arrest of Samson Tan, a
Chinese chemist, by Philippine
police in 2008. Tan was charged with
producing methamphetamine for
Hong Kong-based Triad gangs.ranks are known as “49 ers”. A
special number – 25 – is used to
denote spies, informants, or
undercover police agents.
The traditional initiation
ceremony for new recruits can last
up to three days. It comprises 18
steps and historically involves
drinking the blood of members and
sacrificing a chicken. Modern
ceremonies are much shorter with ❯❯I like to describe Chinese
organized crime as the flu
virus because they’re
constantly mutating.
Kingman Wong146-149_Triad_Gangs.indd 147 02/12/2016 14:43