CHINESE TRIADS

• NCJ Number: 68533
• Journal: Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1979) Pages: 133-142
• Author(s): J VANSTRATEN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: French
• Country: Switzerland
• Note: ARTICLE APPEARED IN 'HET TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR DE POLITIE' JULY/AUGUST 1976, AND IN 'REVUE INTERNATIONALE DE POLICE CRIMINELLE' FEBRUARY 1977. REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION OF OIPC-INTERPOL

Annotation

THE HISTORY, ORGANIZATION, AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF CHINESE TRIAD SOCIETIES ARE PRESENTED WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE NETHERLANDS.

Abstract

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PEACEFUL AND HONEST CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THE NETHERLANDS, THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF THE TRIAD MEMBERS ARE GROWING. THE SECRET SOCIETIES CAN BE TRACED BACK TO SEVENTEENTH CENTURY CHINA, WHEN THE 'TRIADS' (NAMED AFTER THE MAGIC NUMBER 'THREE') WERE COMPOSED OF FERVENT PARTISANS. TODAY THE TRIADS HAVE ONE GOAL--TO MAKE MONEY. TRIAD GROUPS ARE FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, DRUG TRAFFIC, MONEY LENDING, AND VARIOUS 'PROTECTION' ENTERPRISES. THE TRIADS ARE HIERARCHICALLY ORGANIZED, AND MEMBERS, WHO ARE INDUCTED THROUGH ELABORATE CEREMONIES, ARE REFERRED TO BY A SYSTEM OF SYMBOLICAL NUMBERS. DESPITE LONG TERM GOVERNMENT EFFORTS, THE HONG KONG POLICE IS PRESENTLY COPING WITH 26 IMPORTANT AND ACTIVE TRIADS. THE DUTCH TRIAD MEMBERS, WHO OPERATE IN CLOSE CONJUNCTION WITH HONG KONG, ARE MAINLY INVOLVED IN DRUG TRADE WITH HEROIN IMPORTED FROM THAILAND, BURMA, AND LAOS. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE SOCIETY IS ALSO INVOLVED IN ACTS OF VIOLENCE, EXTORTION, AND INTIMIDATION. THE CHINESE CRIMINAL EVOLUTION IN THE NETHERLANDS HAS BEEN SLOW, BUT CONSTANT. THE NETHERLAND AUTHORITIES MUST ACT NOW. THE ARTICLE INCLUDES A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY. --IN FRENCH.