The Structure, Activity, and Control of Chinese Gangs: Law Enforcement Perspectives

Abstract

This paper is part of a larger study of extortion racketeering in New York City's Chinese communities. Based upon information collected from in-depth interviews with local and federal law enforcement authorities (N=23), it focuses on the criminal justice system's perception of the structure and activity of Chinese criminal organizations. The paper also examines how police, federal agents, and prosecutors operate to attack Chinese gangs and organized crime. Finally, it discusses some of the majorproblems encountered by law enforcement authorities in controlling crime in the Chinese community.