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 violence before significant police reforms and stricter laws weakened organised crime syndicates, leading to arrests and deaths amongst the criminal leadership. The passage highlights the evolution of organised crime, the impact of police corruption, and the eventual crackdown on these activities.

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 hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite investigations, no one was ever convicted of crimes related to the bank, and many key figures remain shrouded in secrecy. Its connections to organised crime and drug trafficking, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, are well documented.

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, while less structured than in Hong Kong, extends beyond heroin trafficking to include other crimes. The involvement of Chinese criminals in the Pacific Islands further complicates the situation, with some eventually migrating to Australia.