UNITED States agents are investigating links between Hong Kong's most powerful triad society and a New York Chinatown gang smashed in a massive police operation last week.
Clifford Wong Chi-fai, the alleged Tung On leader arrested on murder and racketeering charges, was also a prominent Sun Yee On member who carried out the Hong Kong gang's business in New York, according to assistant US Attorney Kathy Palmer.
Ms Palmer said agents would make the Sun Yee On connection a prominent factor in the impending prosecution of Wong, who together with fellow businessman Paul Lai Kwok-fu stands accused of covering illegal gang activities by using legitimate tongs, or influential associations, as a front.
''The Tung On and Sun Yee On are very closely related. We know he [Wong] was a Sun Yee On member and that through him and his membership, Sun Yee On members were brought here to carry out activities, including murder,'' she said.
Wong, 39, had strong business links to the territory through his Hong Kong-based company, Clifford Wong Investments, which was heavily involved in Shenzhen, said Ms Palmer.
His lawyer, Susan Kellman, yesterday said her client denied all the charges, and would fight to win bail at a hearing tomorrow.