Here stands Wo Yi Hop a place perhaps unknown to many. Wo Yi Hop may seem like any other suburb. However, its history is intertwined with Hong Kong’s complex past and present.
Wo Yi Hop’s story can’t be told without acknowledging the Wo Shing Wo triad. This triad is the oldest in Hong Kong. It was founded in 1930 in Sham Shui Po.
Wo Shing Wo expanded its influence over time. It moved from Tsuen Wan to Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. They even operated in Tai Po, Sheung Shui and Fanling.
The Wo Shing Wo triad has a long history. Its roots go back to secret societies from the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, they collaborated with the occupational government.
After World War II, many refugees came to Hong Kong. Many of these refugees were recruited into the Wo Shing Wo. By the 1950s, the triad had grown significantly. Its membership increased from 15,000 to around 70,000.
Wo Shing Wo faced media attention in 1989. This was after terrorist attacks on the Indonesian coast bordering the South China Sea. In 1995, a member of London’s Wo Shing Wo killed a school headmaster.
As the UK prepared to hand Hong Kong back to China, Wo Shing Wo adapted. They prepared for operations in mainland China. The triad split into six regional forces in Hong Kong. They also established a new branch in Shenzhen in 1997.
In 2001, Wo Shing Wo was involved in drug trafficking. By 2005, they had become Hong Kong’s top drug trafficker. Their criminal activities spread to other countries. These countries included China, Japan, Thailand and Australia.
Wo Shing Wo’s activities extended to various criminal ventures. Some politicians and businessmen were suspected of supporting the triad. The group split into two main forces. One was based in Macau, and the other in Shenzhen. Wo Shing Wo also began to appear in Europe.
By 2006, Wo Shing Wo controlled the secondhand market in Hong Kong. This included mobile phones, stolen cars and weaponry. Members were attacked by another triad group, Wo on Lok.
From 2006 to at least 2010, Wo Shing Wo controlled minibus routes. They extorted millions in protection fees from drivers. A leader of the group was arrested in connection with the scheme.
Wo Shing Wo’s influence reached beyond Hong Kong. They were documented in Melbourne, Australia in 1992. They were involved in heroin importation, illegal gambling and money laundering.
The triad also had a presence in Antwerp, Belgium. They were active in heroin trafficking and money laundering. The Wo Shing Wo was established in Toronto, Canada in 1930. They also operated in France, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, authorities believed Wo Shing Wo to be the largest triad group.
In Shenzhen, police conducted a massive raid on a restaurant in 2011. They detained 160 members of the Wo Shing Wo triad. The gang members were attending a celebration disguised as a wedding. Wo Shing Wo had been in decline for over a decade. However, they appeared to be on the rise again after becoming involved in pirated CDs and drug trade.
Wo Yi Hop’s story is linked with the Wo Shing Wo. It serves as a reminder of the ever present influence of organized crime.