Triad Faction Overview

Get the lowdown on the Triads in Grand Theft Auto III. Learn about their origins in Chinatown, their rise to power, and their conflicts with the Leone Family and Colombian Cartel.

Alright, let's talk about the Triads in Liberty City. They're one of the main gangs you'll be dealing with, especially in the early parts of the game. Think of them as a rising force in the criminal underworld, trying to muscle in on territory. Origins and Early Days (1997-1998) So, after Hong Kong went back to China in '97, the Triads started looking for new places to expand. Liberty City, being the crime-ridden place it is, was a perfect spot. They set up shop mainly in Chinatown, which is in the Portland district. At first, they were just a street gang, but they had bigger ambitions. They started shaking down local businesses, like Mr. Wong's Laundrette, and used front companies, such as the Turtle Head Fish Factory in Callahan Point and the Belly-Up Fish & Seafood Processing Plant, to hide their drug trafficking and money laundering. Back then, they were still pretty new and weren't as powerful as the Leone Family. But they were aggressive, and that caught the eye of a guy named Massimo Torini. He was part of the Sicilian Mafia and wanted to mess with the Leones. Torini basically used the Triads, pushing them to take over Chinatown, which led to them clashing directly with the Leones. A big moment was when they destroyed a Leone warehouse in Callahan Point – that really kicked off the turf war. Expansion and Conflicts (1998-2000) From '98 to 2000, the Triads really solidified their hold on Chinatown and started spreading out. They moved into the Red Light District in Portland and even reportedly made their way to Rockford on Staunton Island. A big part of their growth was an alliance with the Colombian Cartel, who were dealing a synthetic drug called SPANK. A Triad member named “Chunky” Lee Chong was a key player here, running the drug distribution from a noodle restaurant in Chinatown. This whole period was marked by constant clashes with the Leone Family, who were the big dogs in Portland under Salvatore Leone. You'll see Toni Cipriani, a loyal Leone guy, taking action against the Triads, like killing some of their members and getting back stolen money. These hits slowed the Triads down a bit, but they didn't give up. By 2000, they had a presence on Staunton Island too, controlling areas like Rockford. Even though they were still second fiddle to the Leones, they were operating in multiple districts, showing they were becoming a more organized force. They even used vans, like the Mr. Wongs vans (a variation of their Triad Fish Vans), to move their illegal goods around. Peak and Fall (2001) In 2001, the Triads were at the height of their power in Liberty City. They completely controlled Chinatown and the Red Light District, with the Turtle Head Fish Factory being their main hub. Their partnership with the Colombian Cartel meant SPANK was everywhere, and shaking down businesses like Mr. Wong's Laundrette kept the money flowing. However, this expansion put them in direct, all-out war with the Leone Family, who were now led by Joey Leone after Salvatore's death. Things really escalated quickly from there, especially when Claude, our main man, got involved...