Inside Operation Trident — the 'complete failure' of a police investigation that created a car-stealing racket and forced one man to fight for decades to clear his name.
It was an undercover police sting designed to track down a Mr Big and dismantle a car-stealing racket in south-east Queensland.
The operation lasted just over 100 days and, when it was closed in early 1990, news reports called it the "biggest intelligence exercise undertaken by the Queensland Police".Mr Riesenweber — dubbed the "mastermind" of the scheme — was later described by a 1993 Commission of Inquiry into the operation as "thoroughly unreliable".
Now, at 87, he finally made a Queensland Attorney General and a court listen and was, in June, cleared of all charges brought against him as a result of Operation Trident.Living south of Brisbane, Mr Govic had emigrated to Australia from Yugoslavia in the 1960s. During a trial, Mr Govic pleaded guilty to the corruption charges and was found guilty of the vehicle offences.Jack Govic at his home on Brisbane's southside in his younger days.
"The evidence relied upon to establish the appellant's knowledge principally came from the testimony of Carmont and Riesenweber. It noted the reason why the operation began remained "shrouded in mystery", even after the probe into the investigation. Mr A was touted as a "well-known businessman of considerable wealth" who had received police protection from unlawful dealings because of a "friendship between at least one high-ranking commissioned officer".
"[It] regrettably caused many innocent and unwitting, law-abiding citizens to suffer, with a rash of mindless car theft occurring during the operation," it said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Damien Hardwick returns to attend farewell game for Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt‘It is a massive day’: Hardwick returns to Richmond to farewell club champions
Read more »
‘We’re not private people’: Inside Sam Kerr’s relationship with girlfriend Kristie‘We had to spend two weeks together. I was thinking, ‘If I don’t like her this is going to be awkward’.’
Read more »
'Disturbing' poaching device found inside dead crocodile in QueenslandAuthorities believe the reptile was deliberately killed in a targeted attack.
Read more »
Inside a dream: discover 10 wonders of Western AustraliaStretching across more than 2.5m square kilometres, Western Australia is both vast and beautiful. It’s also home to unique landscapes, experiences and characters, all waiting to be discovered. Planning your perfect west coast escape starts now.
Read more »
Inside five stunning south-east Queensland mansions for saleFrom Brisbane’s riverfront to a Gold Coast record-breaker, the priciest piece of this pie will set you back more than $30 million.
Read more »
How I Made It: Inside the Rich List | Podcast | The Australian Financial ReviewThe latest How I Made It news, events, analysis and opinion from The Australian Financial Review
Read more »