Royal Commission Into Drug Trafficking

The Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking (1977–1979) or Woodward Royal Commission was a royal commission initiated by the New South Wales Government to investigate drug trafficking in New South Wales, Australia, especially links between the Mafia and New South Wales Police and the disappearance of anti-marijuana campaigner Donald Mackay.

The Commission was a penetrating investigation of organised crime, revealing for the first time the power and influence of the Calabrian mafia in Australia. According to a book published in 2009 co-authored by former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, Clive Small:

"Woodward’s report was the first to publicly identify members of the Calabrian mafia in Australia and the first to expose the scale of its drug-dealing. Woodward gave every justification for the government to crack down on the Calabrians but it didn’t happen. And it still hasn’t happened. Only the drugs have changed."

Read more about Royal Commission Into Drug Trafficking:  Background and Terms of Reference, Commission Term, Proceedings, Recommendations and Report

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