After finishing school, Basha became involved in more serious crimes. [4] Some of the more notorious Arab mafia families include . 'They are organised criminal groups targeting each other,' Asst Comm Thurtell said. Most of the crime families the squad deals with are "from the same three places in north Lebanon: Tripoli, el-Minieh and Akkar." Sydney's Lebanese community, estimated at 300,000, is the largest in Australia with the majority having arrived at Malcolm Fraser's discretion during the Lebanese civil war. 'We will be targeting associates and known offenders. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Published: 21:44 EST, 17 June 2021 | Updated: 23:28 EST, 17 June 2021. Originally from Lebanon, Hakim established his empire in Australia after emigrating to Sydney in 1952. He befriended members of the NSW police (selling rissoles in the old NSW Police Academy canteen) as well as underworld figures like Graham Croc Palmer and Lennie McPherson. And given the revolving trend of crime in the city, sometimes bosses lie low or act via a proxy, making the head figures hard to pin down. The sharp increase in Sydney gang wars has shown police that the structure behind these families has changed. In the past there was a code among crime gangs in Sydney that bodies in the street were bad for business, says Michael Duffy, the author of Drive By, a new novel about a Lebanese crime family and the efforts of a bigoted, dispirited police force to lock them up. In recent years 26-year-old Talal's brother Rafat, 28, and cousins Bilal, 21, Jihad, 31, Rachad (sometimes 'Richad'), 28, and Hamdi Alameddine 27, have all faced serious criminal matters in court. The first community of Lebanese in Australia were Maronite Christians, quickly followed by a large Muslim community. Sydney Morning Herald warned: "Criminal gangs in the Vietnamese community are increasingly heavily armed, are moving into drugs and gambling, establishing links with Australian crime figures, and becoming involved in standover rackets in their own community.". He was stabbed in prison last week. Daily Mail Australia is in no way suggesting that John Ibrahim is involved in an underworld war or is part of any crime group. In Sydney, Disaffected Lebanese Kids Caught in Spiraling Gang Violence Facing racism at school and pressure at home, children from Middle Eastern families in Australia are dragged into world. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Hershey's Canada releases HER for SHE bars featuring a trans activist, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up. Gusty winds this evening. The angst between the two came to a head in 2013 during the botched shooting on Maha Hamzy, the aunt of Mejid and Bassam. Six male members of the Alameddine crew are already in jail or before the courts, facing charges related to guns, drugs, violence and organised crime. Lebanese organized crime is active in the country of Lebanon itself, as well as in countries and areas with a large Arab community, most notably United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Canada also in the Triple Frontier in South America. NZ Herald. Another source described the current situation in Sydney as being 'on a knife's edge'. Previously, criminal gangs were ruled by one family or figure, similar to the Russian mafia. A former member of his brother Bassam's gang Brothers 4 Life, Mejid was connected to several underworld killings. In the violent feud, one of Mrs Darwiche's sons, AbdulQader, was shot dead and another was convicted of two murders. 'We will be targeting associates and known offenders. Australian Bikie Gangs: Complete List of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs, McPherson decided to take Hakim under his wing and offered protection to the would-be gangster. This makes sense because of the presence in Australia and Asia of the triad criminal organisations, which are extremely efficient and Keep Reading, The so-called Mr Asia syndicate existed from 1976 to 1979 and was the first major heroin importer and distributor in Australia. His cousin Mahmoud, a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was also shot dead in 2013 as he was caught in the middle of an attempt on another cousin,Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy. This earned him the nicknames Mr Big and Mr Ten Percent. We are afraid there is some connection between these guys here and the guys in Lebanon, he said during a three-month visit to Sydney earlier this year to exchange information on criminal syndicates with the New South Wales Police Forces Middle Eastern Crime Squad. The crime families mostly targeted each other, after Adnan Darwiche and Bilal Razzak (both sons of their families respective patriarchs) got into a brawl at Nemras Cafe in Bankstown on February 25, 2001. Before we can solve it we need to understand it, he says, and Im not sure we do.. A source close to Bassam told Daily Mail Australia he was 'shattered' at news of his brother's death, which came just months after the passing of his father. A member of the Alameddine crime family found with guns and cocaine in Mays Hill | Police trying to head off a gang war in Sydney have seized . Sydney (and Australia in general) has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The important thing to remember is to always report any suspicious activity to the authorities, and if a situation seems sketchy, stay away! Frankfort, KY (40601) Today. Bassam's cousin Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy (right) is currently serving time in jail for shooting two men in 2012. Days before the 34-year-old was fatally shot in the heart of Sydney, NSW Police had gone to his home and warned him that his life was in danger. 'The rationale behind targeting each other is obviously drug related. In the aftermath of Hamad Assaad's death, a one-eyed man carried his coffin down the steps of Lakemba Mosque. Lebanese organized crime syndicates generally are active globally, largely due to the mass Arab population. He has since fled to Lebanon but he remains a suspect in a number of murders in Australia, however the countries have no extradition treaty, Osman Haouchar (left) carries the coffin at the funeral for murdered gangster Hamad Assaad. 17K subscribers in the AutoNewspaper community. Curious about these gangs and Australian families of crime? Mohammad, better known as 'Butch',arrived at John's clifftop home and attempted to provoke a confrontation over money. 104 reviews #5 of 88 Restaurants in Sydney $$ - $$$ Lebanese Mediterranean Middle Eastern. Today the War on Drugs continues to affect many lives in ways ranging from the trivial to the profound. In addition to the mentioned Ibrahim members, the Haouchars have also had a long running feud with some of the Hamzys. There were multiple acts of senseless violence, including weapons theft, shootings, and murders. ', Pools of blood and ripped clothing lie on the ground outside the house of a friend where Mejid Hamzy stumbled to after being shot in the front yard of his own home on Monday, October 19, Blood stained shirts and other ripped clothing was taken away in evidence bags by NSW Police, A burnt out car, believed to have been the one used by the two gunmen, was found on a nearby suburban street. The 12 questions you NEED to ask before moving in with your partner, according to a relationship expert. From the outset, the City of Bankstown in south-western Sydneys sprawling migrant belt is a picture of multiculturalism. 1999 Harris Kayot Deck Boat, WebLater that year, a second fight ensued. The year did not start well in Sydney's Harris Park. Although he never committed any murder himself, this standover man ordered more hits than any other organised crime figure in Sydney. In 1999, his son Bassam shot dead a teenager during a night out in Sydney and was himself jailed for 21 years. One of the brawlers was spotted with a large knife in his hand. At 2am that Saturday, the home of Maha Hamze was shot at in a drive-by attack. The geographic heartland of Australias 100,000-strong Lebanese community, its red brick apartments and cement-sheet homes are peppered with mosques, musallas and churches. Today, Lebanese crime gangs in Sydney and all over Australia are notorious for weapons & drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes. The Asian gangs in Sydney were infamous for street-level heroin trade. As part of their hunt for Mejid's killer, NSW Police are also investigating a brawl between members of the Hamzy crew and associates of another major group, the Alammedines, in the days before he died. WhatsApp chat is just for everyday banter (that's 'Why the last-minute delay?' Hes also famous for having spearheaded most of the citys criminal activity, alongside Abe Mr Sin Saffron and George Freeman. Facing racism at school and pressure at home, children from Middle Eastern families in Australia are dragged into world of organized crime and ethnic bloodletting, Lebanese youths are searched by Australian police in Sydney. ', Mahmoud Hamzy (pictured), a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was also shot dead in 2013 in an attempt on another cousin, Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy. He didn't know that a notorious group of extended Lebanese-Muslim families, descended from the lawless hill tribes of Northern Lebanon, lived in Telopea Street. 'You don't give them a green light by any means, but you have an open dialogue so that you can go to them and say "this is a problem" and they will act. A burnt out car, believed to have been the one used by the two gunmen, was found on a nearby suburban street THE HAMZYS Khaled and Lola Hamzy moved their family to Australia in the 1970s as civil. 943K views 1 year ago Police raid on luxury car firm part of aggressive crackdown on deadly crime family feud; combatants are the Alameddine family and the Hamzy family in Sydney,. Men of Middle Eastern appearance banteramicably in Arabic within tea rooms and coffee shops, while women wearing headscarves, hijabs and, on the odd occasion, burqas wheel prams through Centro, Bankstowns sparkling white shopping center. When the Pistol Licensing Act of 1927 was passed, gangs had a much more difficult time accessing guns. The shooting murder of Mejid Hamzy (left), older brother of notorious criminal Bassam (right), has sparked fears of an all-out war between criminal clans fighting for control of Sydney's west, (L to R) Criminals Rachad Alameddine and his brother Jihad pose for a photo with their cousins Hamdi and Rafat. During the 1990s, Lebanese-Australian gangs took hold of Sydney. A possum feared extinct is discovered by an amateur naturalist in Papua New Guinea being cooked on a My weekly horoscope: What will March 4th 2023 bring for MY star sign? While less well known than younger brother Bassam, 41, who is serving more than 40 years for a spree of killings and gang-related crimes, Mejid was still a key underworld figure. He was accepted in a lot of different circles and he had a bit of class. Lebanese organized crime is active in the country of Lebanon itself, as well as in countries and areas with a large Arab community, most notably United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and in the Triple Frontier in South America. Later that year, a second fight ensued. Man had sex with his wife on bollard in protest after it had been erected by neighbour to stop him parking What happens when classic cars sell for too much? Both gangs had resumes that ran from car theft and rebirthing to protection, standover rackets and drugs. Sydney was founded by criminals who for years formed a majority of its population. 'Organised crime is not going anywhere, you can't regulate it, and so you need them to self-regulate. Born in Lebanon, the 51-year-old is the brother of John Ibrahim, a popular figure and former Kings Cross, Sydney nightclub owner who has been accused of being a "major organized-crime figure" and labeled as "the lifeblood of the drugs industry of Kings Cross"; allegations that John Ibrahim denies. There were 72 drive-by shootings in Sydney in the first half of this year one every 2 days most of which took place in Bankstown, the City of Liverpool further west and in Sydneys inner-west. / lebanese crime families sydney. We tried setting it up once but it didnt work, says Don Weatherburn, director of the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Lebanese organized crime syndicates generally are active . The Facebook predator who lured schoolgirls to run away with him is one of 7,000 sex fiends who offended RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: As Florida governor and Donald Trump rival Ron DeSantis steps up his bid to win the Now California reparations panel RAISES amount it wants to give 1.8m black people from $220,000 to $360,000 Simon Cowell looks unrecognisable as he heads home with partner Lauren Silverman from the Together For Short My dream job has come upcan I make a TINY lie on my CV? How Matt Hancock and Priti Patel shared stories of heavy-handed police Astrologer Russell Grant admits he was 'in denial' after being diagnosed with a brain tumour as Strictly JANET STREET-PORTER: You're not a teenager, Mr Hancock. In Germany these clans mostly settled in Berlin, Bremen and Essen where they became involved in narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, extortion, prostitution, illegal gambling, car theft, money laundering and armed robbery. All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Today, Lebanese crime gangs in Sydney and all over Australia are notorious for weapons & drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes. Most gangs settle in Sydneys rural areas, where police presence isnt as strong as it is in the city. Once Lebanese kids gets involved in gangs, theyre killed or in prison before they get a chance to grow up., There is no data available on the prevalence of criminality in Sydneys Lebanese community because people who are arrested are not legally required to give information on their ethnicity or heritage. the so-called "lebanese mafia" is called that because it was based in brunswick, an area classically populated by lebanese immigrants (although nowadays only yuppies live there) but the criminal organisation is part of the 'Ndrangheta (Honoured Society) and they really draw their traditions from Calabria, Italy. Today, Lebanese crime gangs in Sydney and all over Australia are notorious for weapons & drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes. However, many others could have been selected, as the gangs have an extensive history of crime and no particular hierarchy. 'But what you've got to do is get these communities to trust you. Supporters including Rachad Alameddine (front) leave court after Talal Alameddine was given a 13-year sentence in 2018 for supplying the gun used to kill police accountant Curtis Cheng, Bilal Alameddine (left) could face more than five years in jail when he is sentenced on gun and drug running charges on December 11. Bilal's angst towards the Ibrahims was echoed by his cousin Mohammad last year when he tried to stand over nightclub boss John Ibrahim. The Beqaa Valley, a fertile valley in east Lebanon and one of the country's most important farming regions, is also known for being one of the most important cannabis cultivating regions in the Middle East. 'There's no great mystery that families who come here with nothing will do the hard yards and whatever it takes to get money, and many individuals end up in crime.'. Finally, the rural areas of Sydney are home to small-time gangs who act as enforcers for the bigger gangs in the city. The family conflict between the Lebanese-Australian clans involved multiple murders, shootings, assaults and weapons thefts in western Sydney from 2001 to 2009. Police investigating the Hamze slaying will doubtless be reminded of the conflict between Lebanese crime gangs linked to the Razzak and Darwiche families that hit the streets of southwest Sydney in the early 2000s. ingredient in ice cream that causes diarrhea 3, 2022 how old was zacharias janssen when he died on sydney crime families. McPherson decided to take Hakim under his wing and offered protection to the would-be gangster. 'Whoever pulled this stunt is a madman for sure. Most arrested gangsters over the years all looked like ordinary citizens. They were followed by other groups of criminals of Lebanese descent, many of whom, in contrast to their predecessors, preferred to remain in the part of Sydney where Keep Reading, In the 1990s Sydneys heroin centre moved from Kings Cross to the suburb of Cabramatta with its large Vietnamese population. Terror in Sydney: The Unspeakable Crimes of Bilal Skaf's Lebanese Rape Gang (Crime Documentary) It is unclear exactly how many people belong to the 10 families thought to "run" various areas of the Neuklln district of Berlin (the arrests made this week also happened in this area), with. Just recently, in July of this year, a fight broke out in broad daylight in a busy intersection outside Westfield Parramatta. Despite being accused of murder, assault, race-fixing, bribery, illegal gambling and. What we found was that in a matter of weeks they were excelling the other kids in school. Similarly, the Alameddine associates are banned from going between Picnic Point in Blaxland, and Villawood and Strathfield. The initial dispute was a turf war over drugs in the Greater Western Sydney area. MAFS Daniel breaks silence on criminal charge. According to Sydney police on 7news, they suspect that the conflict was between two rival gangs in Western Sydney. The shooting death of Mejid Hamzy has sparked fears of a gangland war in Sydney's western suburbs, where Middle Eastern crime gangs have long run rampant. The family name first came onto the radar of police in the mid-1990s, when Khaled was jailed for his role in a drug ring. NSW Police had reportedly believed he was involved in the shooting death of Hamad Assaad, who was gunned down in his driveway in 2016. The Lebanese mafia "Al Cossa Kella" is unlike any other well-known traditional/hierarchical mafia and has an exceptional structure. Bassam will not be eligible for parole until at least 2042. Rate Provo's attorneys or make an appointment at Most gangs settle in Sydneys rural areas, where police presence isnt as strong as it is in the city. According to Sydney police on. The very next day, bullets were fired into the home of another Alameddine. The execution death of Bilal Hamze has sparked fears of a gangland war in Sydney's western suburbs, where Middle Eastern crime gangs have long run rampant. Then click on any blue marker to find out more. This amounts to 0.025%. Retired NSW detective turned Western Sydney University lecturer Michael Kennedy has seen generations of organised crime groups in Sydney. Prior to his assassination, Mejid Hamzy was more than happy to fly under the radar as he went about his business in the underworld. Bassam Hamzy is one of NSW's most notorious prisoners having been convicted of killing, drug and gang offences. There are fears a feud between two warring Sydney gangs could escalate after the public assassination of Bilal Hamze. Criminal activity in New South Wales has been at an all-time low, and Sydney has even been dubbed the 5th safest city in the world. By Josh Hanrahan For Daily Mail Australia, Published: 09:29 GMT, 16 November 2020 | Updated: 02:47 GMT, 18 June 2021. He claimed he was there doing humanitarian work and has never been charged with a criminal offence. 61K views, 233 likes, 5 loves, 107 comments, 41 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from 7NEWS Sydney: Police trying to head off a gang war in Sydney have seized weapons and drugs from a member of the. 2015 Sydney Crime Museum. Australia's Pacific gangland. Sydneys underworld is surprisingly diverse, with gang members and mobsters coming from every background. . Photo / Thinkstock. 14 Dorchester St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 5Y8 Canada +1 902-562-3412 Website. Crime Families in Sidney: The Darwiche-Razzak-Fahda Family Conflict His cousin Mahmoud, a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was also shot dead in 2013 as he was caught in the middle of an attempt on another cousin,Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy. In the immediate aftermath of Hamzy's death they banned members of his crew, the Alameddine crew and others from certain parts of Sydney their rivals were known to haunt in an attempt to avoid an all-out gang war. To the streets, thats where., Australian-Lebanese filmmaker George Basha agrees. in Sydney may seem like a rare occurrence, but behind the citys peaceful exterior is a thriving criminal underworld! The street side brawl came a day before a series of shootings at homes linked to both a Hamzy and Alameddine relative. He did a stint in jail in the late-2000s, but was last year cleared on drug trafficking charges. Hamze is the cousin of Bassam Hamzy, 41, who is serving more than 40 years for a spree of killings and gang-related crimes, and Mejid Hamzy who was shot dead in his Condell Park driveway in October 2020. The family name first came onto the radar of police in the mid-1990s, when Khaled was jailed for his role in a drug ring. At first they resisted, but we made them believe that respect is something every child deserves, but that they needed to take action to earn that respect, he says. That much was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Rony Ghanem of Lebanons Internal Security Force. But Sydneys current underworld has fractured into several groups, all competing for control. Salim, 18, and Toufik, 64, were targeted as they sat inside a ute at Osgood Street around 8.55am. The Asian gangs in Sydney were infamous for street-level heroin trade. Two of the prominent razor gangs were associated with famous madams Kate Leigh and Tilly Devine. A pinch of common sense goes a long way toward helping you stay safe. 'There's no great mystery that families who come here with nothing will do the hard yards and whatever it takes to get money, and many individuals end up in crime.'. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. Police believe he may have been responsible for several assassinations including the 2016 death of Hamad 'The Executioner' Assaad, and that his murder is definitely part of a gang-related attack. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting that Rafat Alameddine was responsible for, or in any way involved, in the shooting. They and their crew have established a stronghold around Merrylands - an area criminals have fought for control for years. Haouchar lost his eye in a drive-by shooting at his family's Merrylands home in 2008. The Triple Frontier, a tri-border area along the junction of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, is often used by Lebanese groups connected to political parties but also by Arab Mafia groups as a heaven for smuggling and money laundering.[7]. The gang was active until 1999, when their leader was murdered outside a Western Sydney pub after his release from prison. It was non-stop, he says. A Year Later, Unanswered Questions and Bad Blood, The Nanjing Massacre: Scenes from a Hideous Slaughter 75 Years Ago, U.S. Government Helped Rise of Mexican Drug Cartel: Report. Jihad Alameddine (right) has pleaded guilty to a charges including drug possession, drug driving and possessing equipment for administering drugs. As a high influx of predominately Lebanese people moved in to Sydney they settled in the Bankstown region in Sydney's South West. Osman's brother Bilalfled Australia for Lebanon in 2018, but remains a key person of interest over a spate of murders - however Australia and Lebanon have no extradition treaty. The recent brawl followed a similar fight last year behind bars between the two most infamous people with Hamzy and Alameddine as a surname. There are two significant sources of crime in Sydney: money laundering and drugs. 'Bassam was big but Mejid is a different breed. Khaled and Lola Hamzy moved their family to Australia in the 1970s as civil war erupted in Lebanon. He did a stint in jail in the late-2000s, but was last year cleared on drug trafficking charges. Of course, the establishment owners couldnt report Anderson to the police, as it would put their illegal business in jeopardy. The street side brawl came a day before a series of shootings at homes linked to both a Hamzy and Alameddine relative. calling them lebanese simply Various prohibitions have caused many citizens to engage in criminal behaviour over the subsequent years, most commonly illegal gambling and drinking. Osman's brother Bilalfled Australia for Lebanon in 2018, but remains a key person of interest over a spate of murders - however Australia and Lebanon have no extradition treaty. Lebanese mafia is a Colloquial term for organized crime groups which origin from Lebanon and Levant. Its difficult to say whos top dog in Sydneys criminal underworld at any given moment. The Tibas, Haddaras, Chaouks, Kassabs, and Kheirs are north-west Melbourne's version of the Five Families, the major players in the New York mafia. These guys are the cream of the crop when it comes to Australian crime bosses, overseeing and commanding people all across New South Wales. He will call Goulburn Supermax, Australia's most secure prison home until at least 2042, Bassam's father Khaled (left) moved his family to Australia in the 1970s and was himself jailed in the mid-1990s on drugs charges. Low 37F. It ended in 2009, with the death of Abdul Darwiche. Bilal Hamze, 34, was gunned down in the CBD on Thursday night after dining at ritzy sushi restaurant Kid Kyoto, The shooting murder of Mejid Hamzy (left), older brother of notorious criminal Bassam (right), has sparked fears of an all-out war between criminal clans fighting for control of Sydney's west, (L to R) Criminals Rachad Alameddine and his brother Jihad pose for a photo with their cousins Hamdi and Rafat. Look what happened in Germany in the 1940s., Selda Dagistanli, a lecturer in criminology at the University of Western Sydney, agrees that, When you attach criminal behavior to ethnicity, thats racist, and it makes you question the motivation of the people saying it., New South WalesPolice Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas says the problem in Bankstown and other parts of southwestern Sydney is not as bad as it seems. But as demand ballooned, Keep Reading, The Nugan Hand merchant bank operated from 1973 to 1980 and has been selected as a rare example of systematic money laundering about which there is public knowledge. They and their crew have established a stronghold around Merrylands - an area criminals have fought for control for years. In 1999, his son Bassam shot dead a teenager during a night out in Sydney and was himself jailed for 21 years. But when I was older and more Lebanese kids moved to my area, we formed a gang so we could protect each other and I started bullying back. The main activities of Arab gangs in Australia are narcotics and weapons trafficking, extortion, prostitution, car theft and money laundering. Professor Kennedy, who spent years investigating organised crime, is critical of the recent heavy-handed response taken by NSW Police to large criminal enterprises. ', Mahmoud Hamzy (pictured), a fellow Brothers 4 Life member, was also shot dead in 2013 in an attempt on another cousin, Mohammed 'Little Crazy' Hamzy. If I opened up my lunchbox and pulled out a Lebanese roll, I would get hassled. While Talal will be off the streets for at least the next decade, his five relatives have continued to develop into a prominent crime entourage in western Sydney. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting that Rafat Alameddine was responsible for, or in any way involved, in the shooting. The NSW Police Force works hard with the court system and Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research to keep Campbelltown crime rates, and crime rates all across the city, low and safe for all of Sydneys residents. The results were shocking and yet they were transient: Keep Reading, Police believe about a dozen Chinese importers have provided most of Sydneys heroin from the 1980s until now, generally accounting for over 80 per cent of the total supply. The Gangland War. Mohammed, again a Brothers 4 Life devotee, was stabbed in prison in late-October where he is serving time for shooting two men in 2013. Drive-bys were virtually unheard of in Sydney until the mid-1990s, when the sons and grandsons of hardworking Lebanese migrants emerged as serious players in a world of organized crime, hitherto dominated by Vietnamese and Calabrian gangs. Sydney Crime Museum is an online history of crime in Sydney, which has often affected the lives of ordinary people and popular culture as well as corrupting the processes of policing, justice and government. The very next day, bullets were fired into the home of another Alameddine. While Talal's involvement in the murder of Mr Cheng has seen him become the most infamous member of the clan, he is not the only one to have landed himself in strife. He had connections everywhere: judges, politicians. Drugs are manufactured and brought in from the more rural parts on the outskirts of Sydney, often overseen by Western Sydney gangs.