HE WAS dapper, intelligent, accustomed to luxury and, in New York criminal terms, a Goodfella. But Johnny Eng, 36, was a drug lord - and now he is in jail and they have thrown away the key.
Johnny Eng Siu-hang, Hongkong heroin hot shot and one-time boss of bosses of the Flying Dragons gang in Manhattan's Chinatown, has been sentenced to 24 years' jail.
A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent involved in Eng's downfall said: ''Godfather John Gotti of New York's Italian Mafia knew Johnny. There was respect, except Gotti hated drug stuff.
''Eng was the closest thing you could get to a Chinese Gotti. There's no way Eng will come out until he's 60.
''He's a charming, clean-cut guy in a very good suit, but he was evil and had no remorse. All he wanted was money.
''His personality is quiet, polite, very confident. He's one of those guys who looks too closely in your eye. He got away with it for a long time.
''Now it's maximum security jail, orange jump suit, small cell, shackles. He'll eat alone and be in solitary for 22 hours a day. He likes to read - and he'll have plenty of time for that.'' ICAC assistant director Mr Tony Godfrey, who nabbed him in Hongkong, said: ''He is one of the largest [drug dealers].'' Eng's heroin empire made him untold millions and he spent money like a Wall Street broker - a US$800,000 mansion on Staten Island and a farm in Pennsylvania. He also led the high life in Hongkong.