Chinese Triads: Multiple Threats To US National Security

1. Threat

Chinese Triads pose multiple threats to U.S. national security. In the United States, these groups are active in most metropolitan areas that have a large Chinese population, and typically keep their activities limited to those areas. Within these areas they are often responsible for intimidation/protection practices, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. While triad activity in the United States reached a peak in the 1990s, there is reason for concern due to the rising amount of youth recruitment both within and outside of the United States. Although Triads are active within the United States, their involvement in allied nations poses an additional level of threat to U.S. security and interest.

2. Background

The original Chinese

cities. This activity often begins as extortion of Chinese businesses in the community, but presently their main activities are in credit-card fraud, theft of vehicles and electronic equipment, piracy of intellectual property, and money laundering, but the most dangerous activities are human and narcotics trafficking. Chinese triads are major players in heroin trafficking moving massive amounts into the country due to the “golden triangle” a large area in Asia which produces massive amounts of the ingredients needed to form heroin. Concurrently, Triads are increasing their involvement in the methamphetamine trade by forming alliances with Mexican cartels. Chinese Triads will provide the cartels with the necessary ingredients to create methamphetamine in exchange for the cartels moving the product into the Unites States. Furthermore, human trafficking is a growing business for Chinese Triads. In January of this year, a human trafficking operation was discovered in Ireland which is suspected to have been worth €18 million and be run by a Hong Kong based Triad. Additionally, Australia has been plagued with Triads either illegally smuggling aliens into the country to work in telemarketing scams or kidnapping individuals who are already in Australia. While no such plots have been uncovered in the United States, it goes to reason that such plans could exist. Practically, however, it is known that sex trafficking is a major exploit of Triads and that in 1999 there were 5,000 women working as prostitutes in Los Angeles alone and that Triads gained approximately $5,000 for each woman they brought into the