When an organised crime gang takes over the peaceful fishing village of Karumba it sets off a chain reaction of murder and kidnapping along the wilderness coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the domain of crocodiles. Detective Sergeant Bill Madsen is transferred by the Queensland Police Service to bring law and order to the Crocodile Coast, but first he must survive the hostilities of the criminal element that have taken control of the sleepy fishing village. Out in the wilds people are murdered in their fishing camps as the criminals assert a grip of terror along the Crocodile Coast where they rule with fear and intimidation. The ultimate showdown takes place on the Mitchell River, when the "Barramundi Mafia" dares to challenge the might of the authorities.