Federal Agent Rigby (Taylor) is sent to a tropical isle off the coast of Central America to investigate a smuggling ring dealing in contraband war surplus airplane engines. It's run by playboy Carwood (Price) and sleazy Bealler (Laughton) along with former wartime pilot Tug (Hodiak). Tug's wife--torch singer Elizabeth (Gardner)--doesn't know about the scheme but when Rigby falls for the femme, the crooks try setting him up so Rigby will compromise his career so he can save her.