Hollander, are you sure they are connected to triads? I grew up in Shaanxi and Shanxi is near it, never heard any triads presence in these two provinces. Actually I think triads are not able to expand to Nothern Chnia because gangs here have some whole different culture and even people in Nothern China do not share the same culture with Southerners,criminals caught in the raids are more likely to be local gang members. Triads has its stronghold in Hongkong, Taiwan and a few Southern provinces and thats it.