(BCTV) - Part 3

Immigration officials say they have learned a lesson from that first boatload of illegal migrants that came to B.C. this summer. Seventy-six people were released on a promise to appear for refugee hearings, but 38 have disappeared and arrest warrants have been issued. As a result, officials say they have released no adults from the other three boats. And they want the laws changed to make detention easier.

All this week, Ted Chernecki has been reporting from New York, the final destination for many migrants on the brutal reality that shatters their dreams of prosperity.

As we continue our investigation into these migrants' desperate escape from Fujian, we find that, at journey's end, many become easy pickings for Chinese gangs.

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "Three PM, roll call at New York's 5th Precinct... NYPD's oldest precinct. This is the front line in the battle against crime driven by Chinatown gangs. The 5th Precinct has spent a lot of time getting the right ethnic mix of officers in what is a very unique police district, even for New York City. When tragedy strikes - it is invariably a complex case - often involving kidnappings and extortion."

John Curran, former Asian gang prosecutor: "The rash of kidnappings took us by surprise. Back in '94 they were off the chart. My experience with these gangs is that they are very violent."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "John Curran, a lead prosecutor in many Asian gang cases recounts one especially violent kidnapping, involving three Fujian migrants who were simply snatched from a Chinatown sweatshop and held for ransom."

John Curran, former Asian gang prosecutor: "...Beating them when they were on the phones with their family, torturing them, they cut off the finger of one woman, sexually assaulted them, ultimately strangling to death one woman and shooting the man in the back of the head. He ultimately survived."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "It was that survivor who helped track the kidnappers. They were arrested on the US west coast on their way to a safe house in Vancouver."

Det. Ming Li, NYPD 5th Precinct: "Point a camera at them and watch how fast they run."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "Organized crime in Chinatown has plenty to choose from when looking for new recruits."

Det. Ming Li, NYPD 5th Precinct: "Once a person doesn't have a job, they will seek an easy way to make money...Either by joining the gang or becoming violent in some sort of crime. Ah, they saw the camera."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "They're hiding their faces for fear they may someday appear here, in NYPD's now large collection of suspected gang members."

Det. Ming Li, NYPD 5th Precinct: "The gangs come in and then they prey off the aliens. They misunderstand the nature of the deal. That's part of why they come, is that they're misled."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "Migrants are misled into thinking they have years to pay off their debts. But they don't and are often forced into a life of gambling and prostitution.

There is a positive side to all of this. Police have been reasonably successful in slowing the crime. Kidnappings and extortion cases are down. In fact, law enforcers here think the Chinatown gang problem is actually worse in Vancouver."

John Curran, former Asian gang prosecutor: "They have an extremely serious gang problem up in Vancouver."

Ted Chernecki, reporting: "Take that as a warning. Law enforcers say if Vancouver can't control the level of gang activity connected to people smuggling, New York's crime wave of a few years ago, could soon be Vancouver's.

Tomorrow on the News Hour, the loneliness in New York City and how one Fujian migrant tells us how he regrets ever having left China."