Note: The Bulletin is fairly popular weekly magazine/journal in Australia -
probably the only one providing any decent political commentary. It has
come out against the War on Drugs on several occasions.

AUSTRALIA'S BIG BLACK BOOK

1920s: Marks the rise of contemporary organised crime in Australia.
Activities initially centred on prostitution, sly grog shops (popular
because of 6pm closing) and SP bookmaking (possible because of the
spread of telephones and live race calling). There was a very limited
market for illicit drugs in the early '20s because morphine-based
drugs were legally available in a range of patent medicines. Razor
Gang wars over control of cocaine market (Sydney's inner-city
Darlinghurst 1927-1930) followed police crackdown on chemists.

1930s: Illegal gambling and SP bookmaking the big moneyspinners for
organised crime. More than 20,000 arrests for SP bookmaking between
1930 and 1936. Sydney identity Abraham Saffron arrested (1938) on
illegal gambling charges.

1940s: American troops arrive during World War II. Huge demand for
gambling, prostitution and sly grog in Sydney and Brisbane. Ration
coupon forgery become major problem. Post-WWII sees large-scale
European immigration. The Calabrian Mafia, Ndrangheta, establishes
in northern Queensland before moving south. The Nugan Group (fruit
and vegetable wholesaling and later linked to the Nugan Hand

Investment Bank) established in Griffith, south-western NSW.

1950s: Postwar boom. Immigration continues. Other Italian Mafia
groups establish Australian connections. Growth of orgranised police
corruption, notably in NSW.

1960s: Gang wars in Sydney lead to formation of crime syndicates,
mostly Anglo-Australian in nature. Connections established with
European crime groups. Main profits made from gambling, prostitution
and, increasingly, drugs made more widely popular by the use of Sydney
as a R&R stop for American troops fighting in Vietnam. Largest heroin
seizure to date, 1 kilo on board the Tjiwanji out of China. Len
McPherson and Stan Smith refused entry to Hong Kong (1966) where they
had intended forming alliance with Triad crime figures. Corset Gang
busted (1967); Australians, including serving NSW police officers,
used to smuggle heroin from Hong Kong to New York via Sydney in
corsets and vests. Corset Gang was alliance between Painters and
Dockers, Hong Kong Triads and US Mafia.

1970s: Mass heroin addiction becomes a problem. Asian crime groups
appear. The expansion of poker machines in licensed clubs leads to
links between Australian crime groups and the American Mafia, La Cosa
Nostra. The Moffitt Commission of Inquiry establishes that Australia
is a target for international crime groups. Woodward, Williams and
Stewart drugs inquiries established. Anti-crime campaigner Donald
Mackay murdered. Australian crime figure George Freeman hosts visit
to Australia by American crime boss Danny Stein. US-affiliated Outlaw
motorcycle gangs appear.

1980s: Frank Nugan found dead near Sydney. His apparent suicide
raises questions about relationship between Nugan Hand Bank, the CIA,
drug and arms smuggling, money laundering, marijuana plantations,
Colombian cocaine cartels and the Bourbon & Beefsteak restaurant in
Sydney's Kings Cross. Federal government establishes National Crime
Authority (1984). NSW introduces Crimes (Confiscation of Profit) Act.
Fitzgerald Inquiry (Qld) reveals widespread police corruption and
involvement in organised crime. Yakuza gangsters reported as being
regular visitors to Australia.

1990s: Heart surgeon Victor Chang murdered in botched Triad kidnapping
(thought to be Wah Kee, a Malaysian crime group). Major cocaine
seizures indicate South American drug cartels are a force in
Australia. Yakuza reported buying prime real estate. Anti-crime
campaigner NSW MP John Newman murdered in Cabramatta. South Korean
crime groups move into protection rackets in Sydney's Kings Cross.

Australians identified as players in international paedophile
networks. BM

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady