Gangster

In 1970s Britain, Chinese-heritage migrants worked long hours in restaurants and takeaways to build their new lives. But as the diaspora established itself, the gangs they thought they’d left behind in Hong Kong began to follow, quietly feeding off the very people they claimed to protect.
Back in Hong Kong, Georgie Pai was already a senior member of Wo Shing Wo, one of the most feared Triad societies operating in the city’s underworld. Known for its rigid hierarchy, blood-sworn loyalty and a reputation for ruthless enforcement. He travelled to the UK on a tourist visa and began working at his parents’ takeaway in Glastonbury. From there, he united scattered Triad factions around the country and recruited loyal foot soldiers. He soon built an extortion network targeting Chinese communities, with business owners ordered to pay protection cash. Those who refused were brutally punished.
Presenter: Livvy Haydock
Series Producer: Hayley Mortimer
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Producers: Patrick Kiteley & Matt Toulson
Fixer in Hong Kong: Michelle Chan
Music: Andy Simms and Reliable Source Music
Journalism Assistants: Hattie Valentine & Ellie Dover
Commissioning Producer: Sam Proffitt 
Commissioning Executive: Lorraine Okuefuna and Louise Kattenhorn
Commissioning Editor: Richard Maddock
Editor and Executive Producer: Clare Fordham
Archive: The Cook Report: Meet The Triads (Central Television, ITV)

From the back alleys of Hong Kong to the neon-lit Chinatowns of Britain, Georgie Pai built a nationwide criminal empire through his Triad gang Wo Shing Wo. With a network of protection rackets, gambling dens and an army of loyal followers, he controlled his turf with threats, violence and machetes. Gangster steps inside the world of the Triads. A brotherhood bound by secret handshakes and elaborate rituals, where loyalty is sworn in blood. For decades, Georgie Pai’s name alone caused absolute terror amongst Britain’s Chinese community. He was deported back to Hong Kong several times, but with police unable to pin him to a single crime, it was left to a team of journalists to bring him down.
Presenter: Livvy Haydock
Series Producer: Hayley Mortimer
Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford
Producers: Patrick Kiteley & Matt Toulson
Fixer in Hong Kong: Michelle Chan
Music: Andy Simms and Reliable Source Music
Journalism Assistants: Hattie Valentine & Ellie Dover
Commissioning Producer: Sam Proffitt 
Commissioning Executive: Lorraine Okuefuna and Louise Kattenhorn
Commissioning Editor: Richard Maddock
Editor and Executive Producer: Clare Fordham

Amy and Joe had been planning a future together, outside — but now they’re stuck behind bars, facing the consequences of their actions.
In this final episode, host Amber Haque unpicks how their story ends - and finds there’s still love, but also loss.
And for Amy, the question that lingers - was any of it ever real?
Credits
Host: Amber Haque
Producer: Becca Bryers
Sound design: Ivor Manley
Story and music consultant: Emma Weatherill
Development by: Rob Byrne, Rhiannon Nevada and Emma Shaw
Production management: Gaelan Davis-Connolly and Debbie Wadell
Executive producer: Joe Kent
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live
Commissioning producer: Sam Proffitt
Commissioning executive: Louise Kattenhorn and Lorraine Okuefuna
Commissioning editor: Richard Maddock
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live

Amy knows this is the final run - just one more package of drugs to smuggle in, one more drop-off before Joe walks free and maybe they can leave crime behind.
But this time, someone is watching.
Will the couple stay loyal to each other, as a wider conspiracy begins to unravel?
Credits
Host: Amber Haque
Producer: Becca Bryers
Sound design: Ivor Manley
Executive producer: Joe Kent
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live
Details of information and support with addiction is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Highly-addictive, relatively cheap and easy to smuggle, Spice is running rampage through Britain’s prisons.
And Spice is the reason Amy finds Joe zombie-like in his cell, eyes rolled back in his head.
The reason, he’s in debt with other prisoners.
The reason he’s asking her to smuggle something in for him. Again.
Credits
Host: Amber Haque
Producer: Becca Bryers
Sound design: Andy Fell
Executive producer: Joe Kent
A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live
Details of information and support with addiction is available at bbc.co.uk/actionline