When jewel thieves use ex-convict Jimmy Carmody's taxi as a getaway car, Jimmy is accused of acting as an accessory and must leave town for an island in the Caribbean that has no extradition laws. Jimmy is helped in his efforts by gunrunner Rocky Crane, a former crony, who expects him to join him in his illegal activities. He introduces Jimmy to General Alcatraz, who is buying the smuggled guns in order to overthrow the current head of state, Colonel Emanuel Gomez. Jimmy turns Crane down, having decided to "go straight." He books a room at the Imperial, a hotel Mother Haines runs with help from her daughter Sally and son Danny. Sally immediately catches Jimmy's eye. She informs him that he must register with the police and then find a job in order to stay on the island. Not wanting to work for Crane, Jimmy asks Mother Haines for a job and she reluctantly agrees. Despite his mother's disapproval, Danny works with Crane, and is in love with Crane's wife Rita. In order to get Crane out of the way, Rita informs the police about his next smuggling trip, planning to run away with Danny after Crane is arrested. Crane escapes from jail, however, and after learning that Rita and Danny informed on him, decides to kill them both before leaving the island. Crane confronts Danny at the hotel, but Danny draws first and kills him. Sally witnesses the murder and helps Danny develop an alibi. On his way upstairs to pack, Danny slips the murder weapon into Jimmy's jacket pocket. When the police discover Crane's body and then find the gun, they arrest Jimmy. Although Mother Haines learns that Danny committed the murder, she refuses to let Sally clear Jimmy. Because she loves Jimmy, Sally ignores her mother's orders and goes to the police. Danny follows her, intending to speak to Gomez before she does. He claims that Sally is lying to save her lover's life, and Gomez orders his men to proceed with Jimmy's execution. At the last minute, Danny stops him and confesses everything. Gomez agrees to give Danny a break for his information and frees Jimmy, who proposes to Sally.