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ABC News
27-05-2025
- ABC News
Police announce new taskforce targeting spate of underworld violence in Sydney
NSW Police will set up another mega taskforce over growing fears underworld violence will explode on Sydney's streets again. Taskforce Falcon will consist of more than 150 officers and draw help from the New South Wales Crime Commission in a bid to put pressure on feuding organised crime networks. It will absorb investigations currently underway as part of 13 different underworld based strike forces and will be led by Criminal Groups Squad Commander Jason Box. Police Minister Yasmin Catley on Tuesday morning promised to "find every single one of these crooks". "The recent violence we have seen on our streets is absolutely horrific," Ms Catley said. "We will not tolerate these lawless thugs getting out there with their vendettas against each other and putting in danger innocent victims in our community. "Let me tell you, if you intend to become part of these organised gangs you are either going to end up in a small cell for the rest of your life or indeed at the morgue." Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said police believed the current conflict centred around the battle for drug supply networks around Sydney. Referencing previous efforts that saw organised figures flee overseas, Deputy Commissioner Hudson warned officers would leave "no stone unturned". "We consider periphery players in the commission of these jobs as equally as responsible as those who pull the trigger. "We will pursue them relentlessly." The move comes after three shootings in the space of a fortnight sparked fears of more retaliation. Underworld figure Dawood Zakaria, 32, is not expected to survive his injuries from the shooting that wounded him and Parramatta lawyer Sylvan Singh on Sunday afternoon. A week before that 23-year-old plumber John Versace was gunned down on the driveway of his family home. That came just days after a 29-year-old man survived an attempt on his life, when a gunman ambushed him on a Yennora industrial estate. The move from police comes after the force's previous efforts through Taskforce Magnus quelled underworld bloodshed that began in 2020 and saw more than two dozen people killed. It drew 100 officers from across Sydney's local police area commands in an attempt to stop the bloodshed between the warring Hamzy and Alameddine families in Western Sydney. At the time it was set up in 2023, Magnus detectives claimed to have thwarted two gangland murders in the space of just five weeks. Its most notable underworld scalps saw arrests in the murder of crime boss Alen Moradien, whose Bondi car park slaying sparked the taskforce's formation. Before the recent spate of shootings there had been a seven month gap between fatal attacks linked to underworld disputes.
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Lawyer and alleged gang associate gunned down
A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino. A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino. A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino. A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- West Australian
Lawyer and alleged gang associate gunned down
A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Perth Now
Lawyer and alleged gang associate gunned down
A man is fighting for his life and a solicitor is in intensive care after a gunman ambushed a ute in a busy suburb. In the latest escalation of gangland violence in Sydney, at least one person in a Mercedes fired several rounds at a Toyota Hilux turning into a busy western Sydney road, hitting the driver and front-seat passenger. The 32-year-old driver of the ute underwent surgery and remained in a critical condition, police said on Monday. But he is unlikely to survive the multiple gunshot wounds, they say. Video circulating online showed the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old lawyer, bleeding on the side of the road. He is in a stable condition but likely not in a position to discuss the incident with detectives. Criminal Groups Squad commander Jason Box said police believed at least seven bullets were fired during the Sunday afternoon shooting in Granville. "From my review, it was a targeted and directed attack at these people," he told reporters on Monday. "There's been a number of shootings recently ... our responses will not just be the shooting, but proactive in disruptive measures ... using legislation available to us ... to suppress further activity." A large number of people were on the road at the time, Detective Superintendent Box said. "It's a built-up area - there's always a risk of harm or injured to other persons depending how the incident goes," he said. The shooting on Sunday evening is the third in a fortnight on Sydney's streets. Two back-seat passengers in the ute, aged 28 and 26, escaped unscathed but were arrested for allegedly possessing unauthorised firearms. Each was refused bail before court appearances on Monday. The Mercedes involved in the shooting was later found burnt out in nearby Merrylands. It might have been stolen because number plates were associated with a different vehicle, Det Supt Box said Police are investigating potential organised crime links to both incidents under Strike Force Arrino.
