Triad business hits rough patch following protests

The takings of triad-related rackets in Hong Kong fell “about 40 percent” following protestors’ initial occupation of key districts throughout the territory, Bloomberg reported, quoting a man claiming to be a district head of the criminal organization 14K who gave his name only as Ah Lik. The protests brought to light how far such organized crime outfits will go to protect the underground economy they dominate in vice-prone places such as Mong Kok in Kowloon. There, scuffles broke out on Oct. 3 as groups of men punched, kicked and abused protestors whose presence had disrupted local businesses.