5.21.2008
Tongs: The Chinese Mafia
When people talk about organized crime the picture that most likely comes to their head is off an Italian Mafioso. Well, the Italians weren't the only ones to organize themselves for evil deeds. Tong, a Chinese secret society, was originally started out as a means of protection for Chinese-Americans, but quickly turned to lucrative criminal activities.Unlike the mob, Tongs exist openly and are based chiefly on business affiliations. Most Tongs operate out of New York City, with branches in Philadelphia and other major cities where there are large Asian populations. The big three Tongs (Hip Sing Tong, the Tung On Association, and the On Leong Merchants Association) make most of their money from illegal gambling operations run out of their headquarters. But they've also been known to get involved in selling drugs, extortion and people smuggling.
The Tongs also operate hand-in-hand with street gangs that do all of the dirty work for them. As Chinatown has become a major tourist attraction The Tongs have become less willing to see a decline in their revenues from bloodshed and violence. What's amazing is the lack of police action against these organizations. Hundreds of years after the first Tongs were formed in the late 19th century the major Tongs are still going strong.
Labels: crime, Scott Bernstein
