From the Jaws of the Dragon: Escape from the Hong Kong Mafia

By Lance Shultz
The 700 Club

CBN.com – Notorious secret societies of the Hong Kong mafia are known as triads.

These Chinese gangs operate throughout the Chinese-speaking world. They, profit from gambling, prostitution, and drugs.

Like a scene from a Hollywood movie, induction into the triad is steeped in secrecy that dates back to the 17th century.

“We called this ceremony fong toi,” said Leu Chan, a former triad member. “A chicken is slaughtered and its blood is used to signify your commitment to the brotherhood. An ancient poem is read from a scroll, then burned. Your life never again belongs to you.”

Leu grew up in Hong Kong’s housing projects--where future triad members are often recruited. By age 12 a senior triad member had taken Leu under his wing.

“Joining the triad means you are somebody,” Leu said. “You have brothers who watch out for you, and when called you must also help them even if it means sacrificing your life.”

At the age of 16 Leu and other members of the gang were called upon to defend triad turf against an intruding gang. It was Leu’s first blood experience.

"That conflict led to the deployment of around 100 brothers to fight against another gang,” Leu said. “At first I was so frightened, but the more frightened (I became) the crazier I became. From my fear rose ferocity.”

“There were knives, clubs, and bicycle chains. We beat and cut each other without mercy. My arms and legs were hurt and my abdomen was sliced open exposing my intestines. It was a miracle I survived,” Leu said.

Leu not only survived, but quickly rose through the ranks of the triad hierarchy.

“I was what you might call a captain with over 100 gang members under my command. The more brothers under your control the more power you had,” he said. “I also became a heroin addict. As time went by my life became darker and darker.”

In 1992 a crackdown on crime by the Hong Kong police brought Leu’s world crashing down.

“I was sentenced to 12 years in prison, but even after my release I went back to my old ways,” Leu said. “I started using heroin again, but this time I felt no pleasure. I even tried to kill myself with an overdose.”

Then one night while channel surfing Leu came across a new show called The 700 Club Hong Kong.

“I was drawn to the host’s discussion about how the blood of the living Christ could bring freedom from sin and peace to a troubled heart,” he said. “All I had to do was accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. So I called the number on the TV screen and prayed with a counselor to receive Jesus. And for the first time in my life I am finally at peace in my heart.”

Today Leu Chan is free from the bondage of drugs and a life of crime. He has a full time job and is active in a Christian church in Hong Kong.

“With God’s help, I was able to break my heroin addiction. I thank Jesus Christ who really helped me through a very difficult time,” Leu said.