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 operation culminated when the principals, Paltos, Karp, and Palmer, arrived from Sydney to coordinate a drug drop. Their discussions, recorded by the AFP, revealed details of the drug deal, payment disputes, and counter-surveillance measures they attempted. Ultimately, this evidence led to their arrest and subsequent guilty pleas, marking a significant victory for law enforcement.

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 argued her lies demonstrated a guilty conscience. Despite the disturbing nature of the case, psychiatric evaluations found no mental disorder in Lane, which makes the events even more perplexing. The police's early handling of the investigation was also questionable.

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 betting patterns suggesting the reported wins were a means of concealing illicit funds. Testimony revealed elaborate schemes, including purchasing winning tickets from other punters, to obscure the origin of the money. The sheer volume of seemingly successful bets by these individuals, coupled with their inability to provide verifiable details about their wagers, led investigators to conclude that the gambling winnings were likely a cover for illegal activities.