Phil Matier: FBI Raids Stem From Longstanding Investigation With Possible Gang Ties
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- The series of raids across the Bay Area on Wednesday which included the arrest of State Sen. Leland Yee may be related to organized crime in the Chinese-American community in San Francisco.
Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the lead agency on the raids, has remained tight-lipped on the purpose of the raids, police sources tell me that it stems from a homicide five years ago.
Also arrested Wednesday morning was Raymond Chow.
Chow, also known as "Shrimp Boy," was reportedly the head of Ghee Kung Tong, one of several fraternal organizations in San Francisco's Chinatown. The Ghee Kung Tong Supreme Lodge – Freemasons Of The World at Spofford Alley in San Francisco is one of the locations that was raided on Wednesday morning.
Chow was associated with the Hop Sing Boys, a San Francisco Chinatown street gang and Wo Hop To, a triad group based in Hong Kong. He was also present at the scene of the Golden Dragon Massacre in 1977.
In 1992, Chow was indicted with two dozen others on racketeering charges. He was subsequently convicted of gun charges, and was released in 2003 when he agreed to testify against an associate.
Charges have not been disclosed as the investigation is ongoing.
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