VII. The Tomato Tin Bust: The endless search for the boss of bosses

If Carlton and Brunswick are the heart of the 'ndrangheta in Melbourne, the port is where its blood flows. It was here that an infamous drug seizure in 2007 drew attention to the hidden and dangerous world of trafficking. The notorious Tomato Tin bust at the Port of Melbourne was at the time the largest drug bust in the world.

In 2007, the world's largest drug seizure was made at the Port of Melbourne. Source: Moment RF / Monica Bertolazzi/Getty Images

Lygon Street is not just Carlton: to understand Melbourne's multicultural organised crime scene, a visit to Brunswick is essential.

Crimes and misdemeanors that would fill a book have banked up over a stretch of just over 100 meters.

The most notorious was the murder of attorney Joseph Pino Acquaro, who was executed in an alley in 2016. The murder remains unsolved, and the trial continues to have significant ramifications today.

Carlo Oreglia, journalist Chris Vedelago and Dr Anna Sergi talking in the proximity of the alley where lawyer Pino Acquaro was murdered in 2016.

But if Brunswick and Carlton are the heart of Melbourne's crime, its blood pumps out of the port in the form of the drug trade.

At the Port of Melbourne Chris Vedelago and Dr Anna Sergi recount the incredible story of the infamous “Tomato Tin” drug bust.

There's more contraband coming through now than there was before. Because Australians love their cigarettes and love their coke. And we pay top price across the world for a gramme of coke, top price for cigarettes.

The Age journalist Chris Vedelago

“My Australian Mafia Roadtrip” is an SBS Audio podcast about the history and the psychology of the ‘ndrangheta Down Under. Find it in your podcast app such as the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or LiSTNR.

Host: Carlo Oreglia

Special Guests: Anna Sergi, Chris Vedelago

Commissioning Editor: Joel Supple

Sound design: Max Gosford

Tile Art: 50sVintageDame/illustrationroom.com.au