ORGANIZED CRIME IN CALIFORNIA
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 1996
The United Bamboo is a Taiwan-based organized crime group. It has become an international organized crime group operating in the United States, Canada, and throughout the Far East. It is one of the largest and most powerful Asian organized crime groups in the world. Criminal intelligence indicates that the leaders of this group in Taiwan may be directing the United Bamboo in the Los Angeles area. World-wide membership is estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000. A large number of members, and associates reside in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles. Criminal intelligence indicates that each faction of this group consists of a leader, senior and retired members, active members, and associates. The United Bamboo is involved in narcotics trafficking, prostitution, alien smuggling, loansharking, gambling, home-invasion robbery, computer chip take-over robbery, money laundering, murder for hire, and corruption of public officials. The United Bamboo has formed alliances with such criminal groups as the Four Seas Gang, Wah Ching, the Hung Mun Organization (also known as the Red Door Gang), and the Fukienese Gang, which is based in the Fujian Province in China. As a result of a joint law enforcement task force operation in 1995 several United Bamboo members and associates were prosecuted for bookmaking and related crimes. Since then, several older members have been released from prison and have returned to their criminal activities. Currently the United Bamboo is experiencing a resurgence among younger Asian males, with heavy recruiting occurring in the San Gabriel Valley. Additionally, Asian street gang members are claiming affiliation with the United Bamboo. United Bamboo members may in fact be directing these young Asian street gang members to commit various crimes. Young Asian males displaying leadership potential are reportedly sent to China for training and later return to control their local gang.
The United Bamboo may gain strength as older members are released from prison. They are expected to regain control and establish their prior criminal activities. Heavy recruitment of young Asian males to carry-out crimes is anticipated.
Currently, Taiwan law enforcement authorities are conducting a crackdown on organized crime groups. This enforcement action may trigger an increased exodus of Taiwanese criminals to the United States. Once established in the United States, violent confrontations between these groups may result as they fight for power and control.
From: https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/orgcrm96.pdf#search=%22four%20seas%20gang%22 (P. 18)
Read:
Wanhua／Manka／Monga
Four Seas Gang (四海幫)
Bamboo Union (竹聯幫)
Black Gold Politics (台灣黑金政治)
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