Episode 4: Hunt for Michael Hand

Merchants of Menace

Following Nugan's death, Michael Hand disappears from Sydney. His lawyer fears he has been murdered. But Nugan Hand bank investigators discover he has flown out on a false passport in the company of a former CIA operative, codenamed 'Charlie'.

Six months later, the story takes a stunning turn when Frank Nugan is allegedly seen 'alive' in the United States. Is it Nugan or someone else in his grave? The Attorney General orders an exhumation and a new inquest.

Neither the CIA or the FBI want to assist the Australian investigators get to the bottom of the Nugan Hand bank's operations or help track down Mike Hand. The case becomes so political, the Australian government call a Royal Commission, which finds little in the way of new evidence regarding gun-running or a connection to the CIA. The original investigators brand it a coverup to protect the Australian-US alliance.

The case is now so political, the Australian government call a Royal Commission, which finds little in the way of new evidence regarding the bank's involvement in gun-running and drug trafficking. It finds no connection to the CIA. The original investigators brand the Royal Commission a coverup to protect the Australian-US alliance.

Three decades later, the author uncovers an intelligence document placing Hand, barely eighteen months after his disappearance, back working for the CIA in Honduras.

The author then goes on the hunt for Michael Hand, whom he assumes has changed his identity. What he discovers becomes headline news around the world.

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