NCJ Number
79152
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1981) Pages: 34-57
Date Published
1981
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This British article examines the organization, history, and operations of the Chinese Triads living in Amsterdam, Holland; these groups are characterized as criminal associations operating in the Chinese community.
Abstract
Following a brief history of the Triads, the article lists nine groups of Triads existing in Amsterdam, explains the importance of the use of numbers within the Triad movement, and the customary rituals involved in becoming a Triad gangster. Failure of a member to comply with the 36 sworn oaths often can result in death. The article points out that police cannot gain intelligence about these organizations without being very familiar with the oaths, numerical symbols, signs, and identification marks (such as tattoos). Specific signs are used to call men to a fight and to show if one is a member of the same group. The article explains how impending trouble from these secret societies can be recognized and gives examples of their slang language, which is really a code language. These criminal gangs are active in various illegal activities, such as narcotics and prostitution. The Dutch law enforcement efforts in fighting the problem involve a collation system of crime intelligence, including the use of a quick card index, a nickname index, a photo index of persons, a photo index of premises, and premises records. Intelligence activities also include checks on premises, tapping of telephones, and recording of conversations. Diagrams are included.