Pacific

Chinese businessman calls for action against Triad gangs in Fiji

10:09 am on 11 May 2005

A senior member of Fiji's Chinese community is calling for action against Chinese Triad gangs operating in the country.

The Fiji Sun newspaper reports that the call has come from Kester Yee who has been operating a business in Fiji for 50 years.

Mr Yee is asking why a top member of the Chinese Triad, Billy Hao, who was released from prison early this year after serving a sentence for smuggling heroin, has been allowed to remain in Fiji.

He claims Hao was known as the Godfather and was operating with the deported Mafia Queen and Jason Zhong, who is remanded in custody in connection with the recent 600-million US dollar meth-amphetamine drug bust.

Mr Yee is calling on Fiji's Chinese community to "fight against these people by producing proof of their intimidating tactics of getting wealth" from local Chinese.

Mr Yee says "unless the Chinese community unite against these evil people they will continue to be terrorised by the Triad."

The commissioner of prisons, Aisea Taoka, has confirmed that Hao was released after serving his prison sentence, but said his residential status was a matter for Immigration.