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.

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 horse racing, the report reveals corruption in other sports such as greyhound racing, football, and boxing, highlighting the pervasive nature of match-fixing and the substantial sums involved. The widespread illegal betting fuelled these criminal enterprises, demonstrating the close link between organised crime and sports wagering in Australia.

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 and exploiting his positions of trust. The text highlights his pattern of violence against women and his ability to deceive those around him. His life shows a disturbing juxtaposition of artistic talent and brutal criminality.

Jamie Gao wanted to be a Gangster but fell foul of Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara and paid the price

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 achieve this, although no charges were ever filed. The investigation also highlighted the flawed original police inquiry, revealing conflicts of interest within the investigation team. Despite the passage of time, the revelation of Saffron's possible involvement brought renewed grief and shock to the victims' families.

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 between law enforcement and organised crime. This widespread acceptance of gambling as a victimless crime, despite its illegality, shaped Sydney's criminal landscape for decades. The text uses Taylor's story to illustrate the complex interplay of social attitudes, law enforcement, and organised crime in shaping Sydney's history.