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In the late 1970s, while working as a Criminal Investigator for the U.S. Dept. of Justice, INS. I was assigned to work undercover to upset the lucrative gambling business on Mott and Pell St. The Flying Dragons and Ghost Shadows (fierce rivals) did most of the protection work for the gambling dens. We had several encounters with them. Incidentally, the gang members looked like young kids! Benny Ong, at the time, was considered the “Godfather” of Chinatown. He controlled Chinatown with an “iron fist” and kept the gangs/triads at bay.
It was extremely difficult to raid those dens. They were mostly downstairs with reinforced double doors protecting them from any raids. Even the “Strike Force” with battering rams could not penetrate the doors.
After much discussion the plan was for me to follow gamblers to the door of the gambling den, when he was buzzed in, I was right behind him pushing him through the two opened reinforced doors of the den with the “Strike Force” investigators right behind me. They were hidden in ConEd trucks, restaurants, cabs, and vans. When I went down the steps they were right on my tail. It was quite an operation and successful for a short time.
Chinatown was an interesting and dangerous place in those days. It is not well known but under Mott St., there was a deserted subway tunnel. Much to the “Strike Force” dismay, many illegal immigrants and wanted felons escaped through those rat-infested tunnels.
One funny offshoot from those times, I was assigned to plan a retirement dinner for five investigators in the Subversive Section of INS, I knew the men very well. They wanted to have it in Chinatown. I knew the Silver Palace was a wonderful place to have the retirement dinner. I made arraignments to meet with the manager on a particular Friday. I was stunned to see that the man I would be talking with was Benny Ong, the “Godfather” of Chinatown. Surprise, he owned the place. Needless to say, he gave us a good deal. We had a great time that night, full of stories, tears, and laughter.
