NSW Crime 60's-2000's - who shaped our underbelly?

Operation Lavender, conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), aimed to dismantle a sophisticated drug syndicate. The syndicate leaders, wary of traditional surveillance, frequently met in a public park in Melbourne. The AFP established an elaborate hidden listening post in Fawkner Park, utilising bugging devices, video cameras, and light intensifier cameras to capture the principals' conversations and actions. The opera...

Keli Lane was convicted in 2010 for the 1996 murder of her newborn, Tegan. The case is considered unusual because Lane, a champion water polo player, concealed multiple pregnancies and adoptions from those around her. The investigation began when authorities noticed a lack of records for Tegan, leading to an extensive search for the child and her alleged father. During the trial, Lane chose not to give evidence, and the prosecution...

The NSW Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking uncovered numerous instances of individuals linked to the illegal drug trade reporting suspiciously high gambling winnings. These "punters," including Robert Trimbole and several associates, claimed substantial profits from horse racing and other gambling, raising concerns about money laundering. The commission investigated these claims, finding inconsistencies and improbable...

Organised crime in Australia extensively infiltrated various sports, notably horse racing, for illegal gambling and profit. Key figures, like Terrence Clark and Robert Trimbole, used bribery, doping, and violence to fix races, laundering drug money in the process. The text details numerous incidents of race fixing, including a horse-switching scam and instances of threats and violence against those who refused to cooperate. Beyond ...

Lennie Lawson, a successful comic artist, is the subject of this text, detailing his horrific crimes. His criminal history includes the rape of multiple women, the murder of a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old schoolgirl, and the attempted rape of a concert attendee while imprisoned. Despite his heinous actions and death sentence commutation, Lawson exhibited a capacity for charm and manipulation, even gaining popularity in prison...

A 2007 Sydney Morning Herald investigation implicated notorious Sydney underworld figure Abe Saffron in the 1979 Luna Park ghost train fire that killed seven people. The investigation, led by Kate McClymont, included interviews with Saffron's niece and victims' families, and utilized documents collected by artist Martin Sharp. Evidence suggested Saffron wanted control of Luna Park and the fire may have been a means to achie...

Explores the life of Joe Taylor, a prominent Sydney figure who operated in both legal and illegal spheres during the 20th century. His success in illegal gambling, particularly through his two-up school and nightclubs, highlights the blurred lines between legality and morality in Sydney's underworld. The pervasive nature of illegal SP bookmaking is examined, revealing widespread police corruption and the symbiotic relationship ...

The text details the extensive corruption within the New South Wales police force from the 1940s to the 1980s, focusing on the careers of three prominent corrupt detectives: Ray Kelly, Fred Krahe, and Roger Rogerson. Kelly, a highly decorated officer, used his position to protect criminals, engage in extortion, and even commit murder. Krahe continued Kelly's legacy of corruption, using his power for personal enrichment and poss...

Leonard Arthur McPherson's life is detailed, from his early petty crimes and time in reform school to his rise as a prominent figure in Sydney's underworld. The text chronicles his criminal activities, including alleged murder and extortion, his connections with corrupt police officers and the Mafia, and his involvement in various investigations and royal commissions. Despite facing numerous charges and convictions throughout his l...

Fred Anderson, nicknamed "Paddles," was a powerful Sydney underworld figure from the 1950s until his death in 1985. He built his empire on providing protection to various criminal enterprises, becoming a key player in Sydney's organised crime scene. Anderson's influence extended to corrupt police and politicians, highlighting the deep connections between organised crime and the establishment. His death triggered a power struggle, ...

Perce Galea, a prominent figure in Sydney's underworld from the 1950s to the 1970s, ran a network of successful illegal casinos, enjoying close ties with corrupt police and politicians. His son, Bruce Galea, continued the family's involvement in illegal gambling, becoming a major operator in Sydney's Chinatown. The text details both Perce and Bruce's extensive criminal activities, including bribery, connections to powerful individu...

George Freeman, a prominent Sydney figure, was a highly successful illegal bookmaker with extensive connections in organised crime. His empire, built through violence and corruption, involved phone betting, casinos, and race fixing, impacting police, the judiciary, and possibly politics. He maintained close relationships with other major crime figures and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle fueled by immense profits. Freeman's influence ex...

Today we examine the transition of organised crime in Sydney, Australia, from illegal gambling to the drug trade, using the Moylan family as a case study. Michael Moylan senior built a successful illegal casino, showcasing the lucrative nature of organised crime in the 1960s. However, the legalisation of gambling and prostitution and the rise of the less controllable drug trade significantly altered the landscape of organised crim...

The text details the criminal activities of several corrupt police officers in Australia, focusing on how their law enforcement experience facilitated their transitions into major criminal enterprises. John Wesley Egan and Murray Riley are highlighted as prime examples, showcasing how insider knowledge and contacts enabled large-scale smuggling and organised crime. The text also explores the evolution of police corruption, noting ...

The text details the rise and fall of organised crime in Australia, focusing on the prominent Lebanese criminal Frank Hakim and his successor Louis Bayeh. Hakim's success stemmed from his extensive network of corrupt police contacts, enabling him to operate numerous illegal gambling clubs and avoid prosecution. Bayeh inherited Hakim's criminal empire, escalating the violence and drug trade. The era witnessed a surge in gang violen...

The Nugan Hand merchant bank, operating from 1973 to 1980, is a notorious example of large-scale money laundering. Founded by Australian Frank Nugan and American Michael Hand, it facilitated illegal activities including tax fraud and theft from investors, possibly acting on behalf of American interests. The bank employed numerous former US military and intelligence personnel, and its collapse involved the disappearance of tens to h...

Sydney's heroin trade from the 1980s to the present was largely controlled by a small number of Chinese importers linked to triad organisations. These importers were difficult for police to apprehend due to their secretive nature, a code of silence, and language barriers. The case of Duncan Lam, a convicted importer, illustrates the scale of their operations and the challenges faced by law enforcement. Triad activity in Australia, ...

Mr Asia, a major Australian heroin syndicate operating from 1976 to 1979, is examined. Led by Terence Clark, the group's success stemmed from massive profits and brutal violence, establishing a template for future criminal gangs. Key figures included Martin Johnstone, Jim Shepherd, and Brian Alexander, who facilitated corrupt police protection. The syndicate's activities, including murders like that of the Wilsons, prompted the Ste...