The Triads: The Chinese Criminal Fraternity - Martin Booth

These are the everyday activities of the Triads - a vast, mobile and ultra-violent network of organisations that now pose the greatest threat ever to law enforcement the world over.

Wherever there is a Chinese community, Triad activities flourish.

They demand total loyalty from their members - those who betray or oppose them are 'chopped'.

FEW HAVE PENETRATED THEIR DEFENCES: EVEN FEWER HAVE LIVED TO TELL THE TALE

Now, with unrivalled access to classified material, Martin Booth has written a shattering exposé of this formidable criminal fraternity. He explains their myths, rituals and origins and tells how the Triads have transformed themselves from noble patriots to ruthless gangsters with a strangle-hold on the world trade in heroin. And he warns that with a mass exodus due from Hong Kong before the Chinese takeover, the Triad menace will grow to such strength that, unless a concerted effort against them is made now, they may rise above the law altogether...