14 K Triad and the Drug Trade

The 14 K Triad is one of the most powerful of the Triads. Much of its power and wealth comes from it leadership in the drug trade. As the drug trade spreads the power and influence of the 14 K Triad spreads with it. After World War Two, with the communist takeover, a few of the Nationalists fleeing to Hong Kong formed the 14 K, It set as its mission, the control of the heroin trade from south-east Asia to markets in both Europe and North America. Through alliances with Mafia Families, the 14 K was able to establish itself as a major power in organized crime drug trade. Over the years the 14 K was able to become the largest supplier of heroin for New York. Estimates suggest that the 14 K reached a point where it controlled 80% of heroin supplied to New York.

Opium has had profound effects on Hong Kong since the British flag was first raised. The noxious trade sparked the Opium War that resulted in the seizure of the island. Ever since, criminals have been engaged in running narcotics through Hong Kong and police have increasingly been determined to stop them.

Addicts could still buy opium at government dispensaries until 1948. Since then, social evils similar to those in other parts of the world have seen patterns change. Highly refined "China White" heroin is now the drug of choice of most addicts. Far more potent than opium, heroin and a fearful collection of other lethal concoctions fuel a lethal but enormously lucrative trade. Despite considerable efforts by police in Hong Kong, allied with international law enforcement bodies, the traffic remains a constant threat to society. In recent years, Hong Kong anti-narcotics agents have worked closely with their counterparts in China to stamp out the trade. Like Hong Kong, the Mainland is a victim of traffickers. Grown in the misty highlands of the Golden Triangle and refined in jungle laboratories, the flood of drugs seeps across the border into Yunnan province, then is smuggled out to global markets. For historical reasons, China treats drug dealers in a very harsh manner. Penalties are severe, including capital punishment. Even this does little to stanch the flow of narcotics, so vast are the profits.

Although drugs are not grown in Hong Kong, international criminal conspirators have used the city's sophisticated financial systems to organize worldwide distribution. The era of Thai fishing boats making rendezvous far out to sea with Hong Kong junks to transfer opium by the hundredweight is not as prevalent. Traffickers have grown far shrewder in attempts to outwit police and customs. Ironically, it is the growing prosperity and openness of China that makes life easier for drug smugglers. Every year, 37 million people pass through Lowu and 20,000 vehicles daily cross the border. Many Chinese cities have direct air links with other countries. All these exit routes are used by the "mules", foolish couriers who carry drugs for, the Triad groups.

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