Pubdate: 27 Oct 1998 Source: The Bulletin (Australia) Contact: BM 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