14K triad
The 14K triad ( Chinese 十四 K , Pinyin Shísì K - "14-carat") was described as the world's largest triad band in the mid- 1990s . It was founded after the Chinese Civil War by (former) supporters of the nationalists who fled from communist Chinese. Probably around 1945 the group originated in Guangzhou and later moved to Hong Kong . The 14K Triad is the second largest triad society in China. The approximately 20,000 members are organized in 30 international clans. The triad is active in human trafficking , illegal gambling , contract killing , money laundering , arms trafficking , prostitution, and a variety of other criminal activities.
In 1997 there were a number of gang-related attacks in which 14 people were killed. The rule of the 14K triad under “Broken Tooth” Koi (崩 牙 駒) was contested by the smaller Soi Fong and “Water Room” triads.
The following year, a rifleman believed to be part of the local 14K triad killed a Portuguese prison guard and wounded another in a street cafe in Macau .
In 1999 , a Portuguese court sentenced Mafia boss Wan Kuok-koi, also known as the “Broken Tooth” Koi, to 15 years in prison on various charges. His 14K gang was suspected of having committed drive-by shooting , car bombings and assassinations. Seven co-defendants received lesser sentences. 14K is presumably (see literature) in economic connection with the Chinese secret service . The triads are to partially finance the secret service with construction company and prostitution profits.
literature
- Berndt Georg Thamm : Dragons threaten the world: Chinese organized crime (triads). Verlag Deutsche Polizeiliteratur, Hilden / Rhld. 1996, ISBN 3-8011-0323-4 .