1997 saw the arrival of a new presence in Liberty - The Triads. This made both the Leone and Forellis uneasy, not much was known about them, all they knew was they were originally from the west coast and headed by a man called Ran Fa Li, Leader of the Red Gecko Tong – He was a feared boss whose presence was felt in both Las Venturas and San Fierro.
They established themselves in Chinatown and within a few years built a mackerel factory, a front for their operations.
1999 - Salvatore was getting uncomfortable with their presence in Liberty; they were moving in on Leone turf, he wanted them out so he sent his under boss, Tony Cipriati who had a deep hate for Triads, to teach them a lesson. Tony rigged a car bomb to go off in front of Ran Fa Li's HQ in Chinatown. It blew up half the block and war was declared.
In 2001, shortly after the Staunton Bridge was bombed. Salvatore became aware of the Columbian Cartel doing business. It was rumours at first but when one of their tankers ported in Portland Docks it became clear. Salvatore was getting more and more paranoid. He felt like his enemies were coming from all sides.
By this time one of his men, Luigi Gortelli a pimp and nightclub owner, had an unknown guy working for him for a while. Rumour was he was absolutely ruthless and would do anything for money. Salvatore had a plan – he could 3 birds with one stone - he met with him and promised him the world if he works for him. The nameless man who oddly never spoke happily joined his organisation.
The Forelli Brothers had been a thorn in side of Salvatore for past few years. They had ruined many of operations, in 1999 they tipped of the police to a major hijacking of goods at Francis International Airport. Salvatore lost thousands. It was decided that Salvatore's new man could take care of them both.
Leone got word that the brothers were hiding by the pier in their cars and waiting to ambush whoever was showed up to dispose of one of their underbosses in an old car. Salvatore's new guy went into the ambush and fled the scene in a Manana, the brothers gave chase. During the chase the mystery man miraculously rammed Giorgio's car into the sea and the other crashed into a brick wall. One eyewitness claims that wasn't enough. The man got out of his car and saw the injured Dante Forelli crawling from his vehicle and proceeded to beat him to death.
Salvatore was overjoyed at the news and paid him handsomely. He had already had another job lined up for his man. He ordered him to blow up not only the Triad mackerel factory but sink the Columbian Tanker. The man delivered on both counts.
By now Salvatore was getting a little suspicious. This man was indeed ruthless, too ruthless. He almost enjoyed his work. He was also getting suspicious of his fiancée Maria. He was certain something was going on between the two and it was confirmed when he confronted Maria, she admitted they were going together. Salvatore was already feeling paranoid, this didn't help.
Salvatore made the decision that the man had to go. At this rate he could be his next victim.
Ran Fa Li got a call from Salvatore; He told him he had the man responsible for blowing up his factory and as a gesture of goodwill would deliver him to Ran Fa Li. He accepted and arranged for a bomb to be planted in a car in Chinatown.
Salvatore ordered the man to take the car to a nearby crusher to dispose of a body, the man obliged.
Salvatore waited; there was no word that the bomb had gone off and the car was still there intact. Ran Fa Li was furious. He was insulted by this and vowed that Salvatore would pay.
Salvatore was baffled. The man had disappeared.