Six armed men steal £26m worth of gold from the Brink’s-Mat security depot and set about trying to dispose of the bullion. DCI Brian Boyce sets up a police task force to investigate.

A chain is set up to smelt the stolen Brink's-Mat gold, sell it back into the market and launder the profits. The police investigation leads them to Kent and Kenneth Noye.

Palmer is caught after attempting to escape to Brazil. The police learn that Cooper and Parry have been laundering the Brink's-Mat millions. Cooper is arrested, but Parry escapes.

Palmer is found not guilty. Parry is arrested in Spain. Noye and his associates are convicted, but the police realise the gold was split after the robbery.