Teenager John Ibrahim whose brother is a bouncer in the cross saves another bouncer in Kings Cross from being beat up by drunks, earning him a meeting with Kings Cross Boss George Freeman, whose advice prompts John to take start saving to buy into his first night club. Trevor Haken transfers to Kings Cross Detectives and is introduced to the collecting of protection money from local businesses, with senior police fearing a royal commission.
Young girl Kim Hollingsworth takes her first steps into prostitution as a result of her abusive boyfriend Trent stealing her money. With a Royal Commission looking likely, Detective Inspector Dennis Kelly warns the Kings Cross detectives to clean-up their act but instead they devise a plan to swindle 0,000 from the Federal Police with the assistance of Drug King Bill Bayeh and his crew.
John Ibrahim gets shot but dodges passing again, and gets some more powerful career advice from George Freeman. Detective Trevor Haken makes a deal to control and stabalise the drug trade in Kings Cross and get kick backs as a result. Trent shows up at Kim's new flat but Kim kicks him out which results in him hugging her cat, Kim then applies to join the NSW Police but is rejected.
Kim Hollingsworth organises a strip show for a police charity. Bouncer Benny Kassab stops a street brawl in the cross then meets Bill Bayeh and has an plan to become king of the Cross as he starts to get into drug distribution. Tevor Haken's alcoholism takes a toll on his marriage.
Louis Bayeh vows to avenge the drive-by shooting of his house. Debbie Webb becomes a whistleblower on police corruption after being unwittingly involved in an insurance scam, with shocking results. Kim Hollingsworth plans revenge on police officer Dave who betrayed her trust with planning a lesbian show for his colleagues that will not eventuate.
Dennis Kelly's latest career-boosting strategy backfires when he joins the National Crime Authority. Debbie Webb's whistleblowing has repercussions for her. Although it does gain her a friendship with Kim Hollingsworth who is still looking for a way to restore her dignity. A love affair blossoms for Probationary Constable Wendy Jones and John Ibrahim.
John Ibrahim is under pressure to act following gang violence on the Golden Mile after Talal Assaad's passing. Debbie Webb finds an ally in one of her colleagues in her fight against police corruption while mainly being alienated at the fraud squad due to her whistle blowing history. Kim Hollingsworth tests the loyalty of her new boyfriend with a sexy challenge who then fails when faced with the sexy Galina. Dennis Kelly uses all his cunning to turn a corruption allegation into a career opportunity.
Kim Hollingsworth reaches breaking point when her friend Wanda is found dead and her exboyfriend starts to stalk her then the police that she called then tries to force himself onto her demanding sex. Politician John Hatton achieves his goal of a Royal Commission into police corruption, and the announcement of a Royal Commission results in John Ibrahim being released from jail. Debbie Locke sick and tired of all the discrimination she continues to be subjected to goes on sick leave to have her baby.
Under pressure from the Royal Commission, Trevor Haken's paranoia reaches new heights. Drug boss Benny Kassab suspects a rat in the ranks, with deadly results. Police cadet Kim Hollingsworth is haunted by her past employment choices when she is approched to run a brothel and reports this to the royal comission team.
Bent Detective Trevor Haken risks everything to gather evidence against his mates by wearing a wire to meetings. Chook Fowler testifies at the police corruption hearing, first denying corruption then gearing audion of crocked deals. Kim Hollingsworth's police career is jeopardised when she agrees to go undercover for the Royal Commission.
Corrupt cop Dennis Kelly betrays his best mate Jim Egan to the Royal Commission, with tragic results. Gerry Lloyd makes a deal with drug boss Shaka with unforseen consequences, and Kim risks her life by going undercover for the Royal Commission nut ends up back as a prostitute after the operation fails.
When the royal commission is finished and drug lords jailed Danny 'DK' Karam recruits his own private army when he is released from jail to terrorise the Golden Mile. Ruthless newcomer Doc Kanaan stages a bloody coup to seize control of the drug trade from DK. With the corrupt cops banished from the Golden Mile, gang violence spirals out of control. Detective Sergeant Joe Dooley tries to get action and Strike Force Lancer is formed to fight this new criminal activity.
Doc Kanaan wants tohug John Ibrahim and gain control over the Golden Mile. Kim returns to Sydney and risks her life to fight her unfair dismissal from the NSW Police. Dennis Kelly hires a hit man tohug Kim. Gerry Lloyd finds some dirt from his past to stop Dennis's ambitions in their tracks.