The Mafia's Web

Tasmania is well known for it's beauty. But, deep within the dark bushland lies a string of secrets. 169 people have gone missing on the island since the mid 20th century, and dozens of those without a trace from the wilderness…..their bodies never recovered. The Lost Ones looks into the stories of those who’ve disappeared into the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, and asks the question, have they fallen victim to foul play? Introducing The Lost Ones episode 1 - The Preacher. Search for The Lost Ones wherever you listen to your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new generation of mafia bosses are flashing their cash and fast cars on Instagram and Facebook, but their posts are bringing them to the attention of the Australian Federal Police. In this episode Acting Assistant Commissioner Todd Hunter reveals the tensions between the mafia's old and new guard. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luigi Bonaventura has been a key figure in the convictions of more than 500 Mafioso in Italy. He grew up in the mafia stronghold of Crotone, where he was trained on how to kill by his violent father. Mr Bonaventura, who now lives in hiding for breaking the mafia’s code of silence, has warned that the Italian mafia still has strong links in Australia. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nicknames given to the accused criminals in a mega trial of 355 mafia dons hide some of their more sinister activities, accused of some horrific crimes, including feeding women to pigs. In this episode Stephen Drill takes a look inside one of the mafia trials of the century. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian mafia has accessed JobKeeper payments for staff at it's legitimate businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode Antonio Nicaso, a professor at Queen's University in Canada, has revealed that mafia groups have been exploiting government handouts during the crisis not only at home, but worldwide. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to mafia expert Anna Sergi, Australia's streets are being flooded with illegal drugs through a contactless system developed in Italy. In this episode The University of Essex professor reveals how maritime workers are duped into becoming drug mules and Stephen Drill looks at the world's biggest ecstasy bust in Melbourne. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode an undercover cop who bought more than a million dollars of cocaine and cannabis with taxpayers' money reveals the terror of tricking the mafia. Colin McLaren infiltrated the Griffith mafia posing as a dodgy art dealer in a sting that smashed their operations.   “I was buying drugs, quite a lot. Pure cocaine in rock form from the mafia.  “At one stage they offered me a truckload of cannabis worth, I can't remember how many million. We just did not have enough money to buy at all.”  You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You've got me”. That was how a mafia boss reacted when he saw undercover cop Roman Quaedvlieg walk into the interview room. In this episode Stephen Drill delves further into the world of the mafia, including the infamous murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald Mackay. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's wholesale cocaine price has doubled since the mafia smashing Operation Ironside interrupted drug routes across the world. The sting of the century, which intercepted more than 27 million messages on the AN0M trojan horse app has had a significant impact on illicit drug prices. In this episode Acting Assistant Commissioner Todd Hunter discusses the impact of Operation Ironside not only on the mafia here in Australia, but also Internationally. You can listen to every episode of The Mafia's Web, ad free, plus access award winning journalism about this investigation at truecrimeaustralia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch, listen and experience Mafia's Web with a subscription at mafiasweb.com.au. You'll hear the podcast ad free, see galleries, videos and read award winning journalism with your subscription. The Mafia's Web is True Crime Australia's latest groundbreaking podcast. Stephen Drill's two-year investigation lifts the lid on how the mafia is controlling crime in Australia.  But the mafia is no longer just running drugs or extorting fruit markets, it has its tentacles in legitimate businesses too. The eight-part series brings you insights from inside the mafia from a former killer who turned police informant, as well as the latest on the sting of the century that put the criminal cartel back on the map.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.