Colin McLaren

Colin McLaren is an Australian crime-writer and former undercover police operative. A feature length telemovie about his life by Underbelly Productions, starring Sullivan Stapleton in the title role, has just concluded filming for the Channel Nine Network and is due to air in 2011. McLaren's first book: “Infiltration”, is the true story of his efforts as the undercover agent who infiltrated the Mafia.^[1] McLaren followed up his autobiographical work “Infiltration” with “On the Run”, a novel that details the exploits of Cole Goodwin, McLaren's real-life Mafia ‘alias’, which has been adapted to a screenplay. The story picks up with the mafia sending a hit-man after Cole and his undercover girlfriend, Jude. Cole escapes a hit and goes "On the Run" with the assassin in pursuit; through South America, New York and eventually throughout Italy. The plot follows a massive drug importation as well and culminates with a face-off between the assassin and Cole, in the mafia controlled mountains of southern Italy.

McLaren's third book, “Sunflower” is a historical work graphically depicting the real life experiences of his own grandfather, one of Australia’s longest serving foot soldiers from the Great War.^[2][3] Colin is currently working on further manuscripts and screenplays to be released from 2011. These include a mini series likened to 'Deadwood'.^[4]

The major phase of McLaren's police career took place during the 1980s and 1990s. McLaren rose through the police ranks rapidly and when asked to join an elite covert surveillance unit, he began spying on drug importers and the ringleaders of organised crime, before going undercover and organising covert stings. As a member of some of the most high profile task forces in Australia, McLaren worked on the Walsh Street murders of constables Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre,^[5] the Mr Cruel child rapes and the murder of thirteen year old Karmein Chan,^[6] and the bombing of the Adelaide NCA headquarters where he was task force leader. McLaren then went undercover operative in Griffith, west of Sydney, where for two years he infiltrated mafia in the guise of an art dealer, in what is still the largest undercover sting in Australia’s history. Eleven Mafia bosses received sentences of up to 13 years each.^[7]

McLaren's police career has been the focus of various television documentaries, and the Underbelly Files: Infiltration telemovie series screened on Channel 9.^[8] After leaving police work, he developed his interest in Italian style gourmet food and wine, designing the Italian villa ‘Villa Gusto’ in the countryside surrounding Bright in north east Victoria, three hours from Melbourne.^[9] Acting on suggestions from his clientele, he now organises gourmet tours through Italy, where he also lives most of the time.

McLaren is also the owner of Scuttlebutt Media, a company specialising in writing, screenplays and literary projects. He is a frequent guest speaker at Australian events such as the 2010 Perth Writers Festival ^[10] corporate events and the 2009 Byron Bay Writers Festival ^[11]

Publications

• (2009) Infiltration, Victory Books ISBN 13 : 978-0-522-85679-8
• (2010) On the Run, Victory Books ISBN-13 : 978-0-522-85703-0
• (2010) Sunflower, Victory Books ISBN-13 : 978-0-522-85762-7

References

1. ^ ebroadcast.com Retrieved 6 August 2010
2. ^ scuttlebutt media Retrieved 6 August 2010
3. ^ mup.com Retrieved 6 August 2010
4. ^ Deadwood (TV series) Retrieved 10 August 2010
5. ^ John Sylvester Retrieved 6 August 2010
6. ^ Liz Porter Retrieved 6 August 2010
7. ^ Liz Porter Retrieved 6 August 2010
8. ^ "Infiltration". Underbelly Files. Australia: Ninemsn. 2011. http://fixplay.ninemsn.com.au/underbellyfiles. Retrieved 16 February 2011. 
9. ^ villagusto Retrieved 6 August 2010
10. ^ Perth Festival Retrieved 6 August 2010
11. ^ Byron Bay Writers Festival Retrieved 6 August 2010

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Name	Maclaren, Colin
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