Hong Kong Triads....
Secret societies shrouding organised criminal conspiracies are a major challenge to law enforcement in Hong Kong. About 50 triad groups, many of them minor localised gangs of young thugs, are active in modern Hong Kong. There are several larger groups, including the Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo and 14k, which are syndicates of sophisticated criminals, mirror images of such similar western empires of crime as the Mafia.
The secretive nature of triad societies, based originally on patriotic Chinese resistance to Manchu rule, makes it virtually impossible for police to penetrate the inner sanctums of these organisations. Romanticised legends of the past are far removed from the present day realities; triads are noxious, cowardly thugs who prey on the weak, the innocent and the foolish. Their activities are funded by enormous income from gambling, prostitution, pornography, narcotics, loan sharking, extortion, terror and violence. There is no criminal act so despicable in which they do not eagerly participate, if an illegal profit can be made.
Combatting that social cancer is one of the greatest challenges in policing Hong Kong. It is carried out largely by detectives in the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, with significant street level backup from every District. Triads are extreme threats both to law and order and social stability; in the 1950s, there were estimates that nominal triad membership roles could number up to 300,000,though most were inactive. The way they prey on street hawkers, home decorators, restaurants, bars, entertainment outlets and film making means costs of the millions of dollars extorted from small businesses are daily passed on to the public. All Hong Kong is held victim by the thugs of organised crime and local street gangs.
Although most gangs and organised syndicates operate independently, many triads attempt to spread the myth of one invincible, invisible and all-powerful organisation. This dogma is meant to terrify victims into silence. Unfortunately, these tactics work with frightening effect. Detectives are faced every day; with a wall of silence.
Heading the unrelenting drive to fight this perpetual threat, the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, working hand in hand with the Criminal Intelligence Bureau at Police Headquarters, is responsible for collecting intelligence and collating all information funnelled in from all anti-triad units. Together with intelligence about syndicates investigated by Narcotics and Commercial Crime Bureaus, the information is used to help target the Mr Bigs. Other agencies, like Customs, Immigration and ICAC, are also working with police to clip the spreading wings of triads and other organised syndicates.
Ironically, it is the law that gives criminals protection. Without sufficient power to investigate the source of wealth of the masterminds of crime and without legislation that carries tougher deterrent penalties - both in confiscating criminals' illegal gains and in sending them to jail for lengthy terms - police efforts to combat and contain triads is hampered. In this regard, an Organised and Serious Crimes Bill has been proposed and is currently in force to combat the Mr. Bigs.
The secretive nature of triad societies, based originally on patriotic Chinese resistance to Manchu rule, makes it virtually impossible for police to penetrate the inner sanctums of these organisations. Romanticised legends of the past are far removed from the present day realities; triads are noxious, cowardly thugs who prey on the weak, the innocent and the foolish. Their activities are funded by enormous income from gambling, prostitution, pornography, narcotics, loan sharking, extortion, terror and violence. There is no criminal act so despicable in which they do not eagerly participate, if an illegal profit can be made.
Combatting that social cancer is one of the greatest challenges in policing Hong Kong. It is carried out largely by detectives in the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, with significant street level backup from every District. Triads are extreme threats both to law and order and social stability; in the 1950s, there were estimates that nominal triad membership roles could number up to 300,000,though most were inactive. The way they prey on street hawkers, home decorators, restaurants, bars, entertainment outlets and film making means costs of the millions of dollars extorted from small businesses are daily passed on to the public. All Hong Kong is held victim by the thugs of organised crime and local street gangs.
Although most gangs and organised syndicates operate independently, many triads attempt to spread the myth of one invincible, invisible and all-powerful organisation. This dogma is meant to terrify victims into silence. Unfortunately, these tactics work with frightening effect. Detectives are faced every day; with a wall of silence.
Heading the unrelenting drive to fight this perpetual threat, the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, working hand in hand with the Criminal Intelligence Bureau at Police Headquarters, is responsible for collecting intelligence and collating all information funnelled in from all anti-triad units. Together with intelligence about syndicates investigated by Narcotics and Commercial Crime Bureaus, the information is used to help target the Mr Bigs. Other agencies, like Customs, Immigration and ICAC, are also working with police to clip the spreading wings of triads and other organised syndicates.
Ironically, it is the law that gives criminals protection. Without sufficient power to investigate the source of wealth of the masterminds of crime and without legislation that carries tougher deterrent penalties - both in confiscating criminals' illegal gains and in sending them to jail for lengthy terms - police efforts to combat and contain triads is hampered. In this regard, an Organised and Serious Crimes Bill has been proposed and is currently in force to combat the Mr. Bigs.
posted by Raysa @ 4:40 AM
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