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 individuals, and their eventual encounters with the law. While Perce's influence spanned the realms of casinos and horse racing, Bruce's career in illegal gambling persisted despite facing investigations and imprisonment. The sources highlight the deep corruption within Sydney's criminal underworld and its interaction with law enforcement and political figures.

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 extended to resolving industrial disputes and even involved alleged participation in violent acts against those who threatened his power. Despite public accusations and investigations, Freeman largely evaded prosecution until his death in 1990.

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 crime. The Moylans' drug importation operation, while relatively small in scale, marked a pivotal shift in organised crime's focus, attracting increased police scrutiny and media attention, contrasting with the previous era of more lenient law enforcement. This shift ultimately led to a decline in the power and influence of traditional organised crime figures.

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 a shift from established, high-level corruption to a more unpredictable and dangerous environment characterised by smaller-scale operations and shifting alliances in the drug trade. The rise of the drug trade is shown to have fundamentally altered the nature of police corruption, making it less predictable and more dangerous. The case of Roger Rogerson is used to exemplify the ongoing issue of police corruption well into the 1990s.

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.