14K Triad

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The 14K Triad (十四K) was reportedly the largest Triad gang worldwide in the mid-1990s.

It was formed by Kuomintang Lieutenant-General Kot Siu-wong in Guangzhou, China in the late 1940s as an anti-communist action group. The number "14" from "14K" apparently comes from the organization's headquarters address (14, Po Wah Road, Canton) whereas the "K" is the initial of Kot Siu-wong's surname. "K" may also stand for "Kuomintang". After the Communist takeover of mainland China in 1949, 14K members migrated to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau.

In 1997 there were a number of gang related attacks that left 14 people dead. The 14K triad under Wan Kuok-koi (nicknamed 崩牙駒 Lit. Broken Tooth Koi) was being challenged by the smaller Shui Fong (水房 Lit. Water Room, originated from a workers' union of the legacy Hong Kong Soft drink company, Wo On Lok 和安樂) triad.

The next year, a gunman believed to be connected to the local 14K triad killed a Portuguese prison officer and wounded another at a sidewalk café in Macau.

In 1999, a Portuguese court convicted 45-year-old mob boss Broken Tooth Koi on various criminal charges and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment. His 14K gang was suspected of drive-by shootings, car bombings and attempted assassinations. Seven of his associates received lesser sentences.

Since the crackdown in Macau, the 14K triad resurfaced in North American cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. In response to the massive publicity generated by Broken Tooth Koi, 14K dramatically lowered its public profile. Meanwhile, loan sharking and money laundering continue to be the primary sources of revenue for 14K in North America.

14K gangs exist in the United Kingdom, active in urban cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Cardiff.