Underbelly

When Terry Falconer is abducted and murdered while on prison day release on 17 November 2001, the New South Wales police embark on a man-hunt to find his killers after Falconer's remains are discovered in the Hastings River. Over the course of a decade, their investigation leads them to Anthony Perish, a criminal motorcycle gang member and drug dealer who eluded previous scrutiny from the police.

Task Force Tuno become frustrated by the lack of progress with the Terry Falconer murder case. Although they are aware that Anthony Perish is involved, Perish has been assiduous in avoiding official documentation that would enable law enforcement or government agencies to use the information for surveillance purposes. Former Ironbloods Motorcycle Club member Frank O'Rourke turns police informant.

In September 2002, New South Wales newspapers disclose the faces of Anthony and Andrew Perish. Frank O'Rourke agrees to go undercover within the Perish gang and act as an informant. The New South Wales police hierarchy become impatient with the Task Force. Jubelin bonds with O'Rourke, who is convinced to wear a wire during surveillance of the Perish gang's drug manufacturing facilities.

With Strike Force Tuno formally disbanded and officially shut down, Jubelin undertakes covert measures to gather further evidence on Anthony Perish and his gang. As Jubelin languishes at a desk job in Chatwood, Browne continues to be involved in homicide inquiries amidst a series of other anti-crime police task forces and one day, encounters additional information about Perish's activities.

Used car dealer Ben Dokic's life becomes a nightmare when he befriends a charming customer, otherwise known as Anthony Perish, after a highend car sale and cocaine reward. Although Perish initially befriends Dokic, Perish is becoming increasingly paranoid about police surveillance. Andrew Perish tracks down Decker and forces him to rejoin the Perish gang.

Decker's girlfriend is now heavily pregnant and he finances his preparation for further parenthood with holdups and work for the Perish gang. Browne and Jubelin are busy with other homicides and during one, Jubelin meets Tracy, who moves in with him and bonds with his teenage children. Meanwhile, Perish's paranoia has eased and his drug production factory and distribution 'business' is booming.

Unaware he is under police surveillance, Decker juggles two different hit-man contracts with the impending birth of his baby. He is forced to delegate responsibility for one such task to another Perish gang member, Michael Christensen. Christensen lures Peter Elliott, a corrupt business person and associate of Melbourne's Moran criminal family, to a deserted property, shooting him dead.

Despite Anthony's arrest, the case against the Perish gang appears to be doomed to end in minor manslaughter convictions, as the Perish brothers and accomplice Matt (Muzz) Lawton are tried for murder and conspiracy to murder. Anthony's defence counsel advocates that he plead guilty to manslaughter, but not murder.