Triads

Also known as: Heaven and Earth Society, Hung Society, San He Hui, Triad
Based in ChinaActive18th century-presentSourcesTriad (organised crime)

Triads are Chinese transnational organized crime syndicates based in Greater China with outposts worldwide. Originating from 18th-century secret societies aimed at overthrowing the Qing dynasty, they evolved into criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and other illegal activities. Modern triads operate primarily from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, with connections to mainland Chinese criminal groups.

CRIMENET has extracted 54 linkages for this organization, including 23 cooperative ties across 14 organizations, 3 conflicts across 2 organizations, 28 other connections and footprints in 26 countries.

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FromTriads

Footprint abroad 26

1
ArgentinaPresence
The Triad has territory in Argentina.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
2
AustraliaPresence
Triads have a presence in Australia through 'The Company' and are involved in drug importation and money laundering.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
3
BelgiumPresence
The Triad has territory in Belgium.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
4
BrazilPresence
The Triad has territory in Brazil.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
5
BulgariaPresence
The Triad has territory in Bulgaria.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
6
CanadaPresence
Triads are present in Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
7
FrancePresence
The Triad has territory in France.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
8
GermanyPresence
The Triad has territory in Germany.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
9
IrelandPresence
Tony Lee was the dragonhead of the Irish branch of 14K until his murder.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
10
JapanPresence
The Triad has territory in Japan.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
11
MacauPresence
Triads have a presence in Macau through 'The Company' and other groups.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
12
MalaysiaPresence
Triads are active in Chinese communities in Malaysia, with remnants of former gangs still existing.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
13
NetherlandsPresence
Triads have a presence in Amsterdam through the Ah Kong group.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
14
New ZealandPresence
The Triad has territory in New Zealand.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
15
PeruPresence
The Triad has territory in Peru.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
16
RomaniaPresence
The Triad has territory in Romania.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
17
RussiaPresence
The Triad has territory in Russia.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
18
SingaporePresence
Triads are active in Singapore, with specific gangs like Ang Soon Tong and Wah Kee.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
19
South AfricaPresence
Triads have subgroups operating in South Africa, involved in trafficking and other crimes.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
20
South KoreaPresence
The Triad has territory in South Korea.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
21
SpainPresence
The Triad has territory in Spain.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
22
TaiwanPresence
Triads have emigrated to Taiwan and established chapters there.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
23
ThailandPresence
Triads have a presence in Bangkok through the Ah Kong group.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
24
The Triad has territory in the United Kingdom.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
25
Triads relocated to the United States and have outposts there.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)
26
VietnamPresence
Triads were common in Vietnamese cities with large Chinese communities during the French colonial period.
Sources: Triad (organised crime)