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.

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 Stewart Royal Commission, revealing the extent of corruption and leading to numerous arrests and convictions. Shepherd's memoir and the Royal Commission's findings provide unique insight into the group's operations.

Tri Minh Tran's story details the rise and fall of the 5T gang in Cabramatta, Sydney, during the 1990s. This Vietnamese gang, comprised largely of refugee children, quickly gained control of the heroin trade and terrorised the local community through extreme violence. Despite their dominance and initial success evading law enforcement, a combination of internal conflicts and eventually a major police operation led to the gang's demise by 2001. Tran himself, a prominent leader of the 5T, refused an assassination contract before being murdered at age 20. The text highlights the gang's impact on Cabramatta, including its high murder rate and the community's eventual response to the gang's violence.

Lebanese organised crime in Sydney's south-west is explored, focusing on the rise and fall of the Darwiche and Razzak families. The text details their violent drug trafficking operations, escalating conflict marked by shootings and murders, and the eventual police crackdown, leading to numerous arrests and convictions. Key figures like Adnan Darwiche and Gehad Razzak are highlighted, illustrating the gangs' brutality and their impact on the community. The narrative culminates with the demise of the Darwiche gang and a reflection on the ongoing presence of Lebanese organised crime in Sydney. The text uses specific examples, such as the Telopea Street drug market, to illustrate the gangs' methods.

The muscle and the sergeant at arms of the Nomads

George Freeman, a prominent Sydney figure, was a highly successful illegal bookmaker with extensive connections in organised crime. His empire, built on violence and corruption, involved phone betting, illegal casinos, and race fixing, reaching an estimated annual turnover of $1.8 billion. Freeman cultivated relationships with police, judiciary members, and even figures in American organised crime, using bribery and intimidation to maintain his power. Despite facing accusations and investigations, Freeman enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and even published an autobiography before his death from heart failure. His story highlights the pervasive influence of organised crime in Sydney during the 20th century.