Police have released images of nine men wanted over alleged murders, drug importations, and a gang war raging in western Sydney between Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander and Vietnamese crime syndicates.
There have been more than 120 shootings, 19 killings, and 40 kidnappings since 2023, many linked to the Lebanese Muslim Alameddine organised crime network and its conflicts with the Pacific Islander Coconut Cartel, formerly allied Fijian gang KVT, and Vietnamese drug cartels.
Most of the shootings and kidnappings, along with dozens of arson attacks on homes cars and businesses connected to the rival groups, have allegedly been carried out by “contract crews” and/or teenagers, mainly from Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and African backgrounds.
The NSW Police State Crime Command on Monday put out a call for public assistance locating nine men believed to have fled Australia for the Middle East, Asia and Europe, including Alameddine leader Rafat Alameddine and one of his top lieutenants, John-Ray Bayssari.
Alameddine, 35, is wanted for alleged murders, conspiracy to murder, drug supply, and directing a criminal group, while Bayssari, also 35, is wanted for alleged murder, conspiracy to murder, drug supply and directing a criminal group. Both are believed to have been living in Lebanon since 2022.
Alleged Coconut Cartel leader Anthony Pele, a 25-year-old Samoan who has been on the run since 2023, is also on the list and wanted for an alleged murder, conspiracy to murder, a public place shooting, drug supply and participation in a criminal group.
Although their arrests warrants relate to crimes allegedly committed before they left Australia, police believe all three men are responsible for the ongoing gang violence unfolding on Sydney’s streets, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The remaining men on the list are:
- Rabeih Baltagi, 30, wanted for murder, drug supply, and dealing with proceeds of crime. He is wanted in connection to the shooting murder of Yusuf Nazlioglu in Rhodes in 2023. Two other Middle Eastern gangster were last week convicted of murdering Nazlioglu, who himself was acquitted over the 2018 gangland execution of former Comanchero bikie boss Mike Hawi.
- Hussein Jaouhar, 38, wanted for murder over the death of Chen Liu, who was found in the Georges River in 2008 with 30 nails in his skull.
- Maher Elabd, 31, wanted over the alleged murder of Jimmy Alayan in Villawood in 2017.
- Hussein Zayoun, 54, wanted over the alleged murder of Ahmed Ghoniem at Potts Point in 2012.
- Daniel Toutounji, 36, wanted for drug supply, directing a criminal group, and dealing with proceeds of crime. Linked to the Comancheros and believed to have spent time in Albania.
- Zoran Kisacanin, 39, wanted for drug supply, directing a criminal group, and dealing with proceeds of crime. Also linked to the Comancheros.
“We are releasing the names and faces of these individuals to assist our enquiries. Information about their movements or current location may be critical to progressing these investigations,” State Crime Commander Scott Cook said.
“We also want to make it absolutely clear that anyone assisting these men to evade law enforcement may be committing a serious criminal offence. If you are providing support, you should stop immediately and consider the consequences.”
“The process for mutual legal assistance to return these individuals to New South Wales is underway, and we are working closely with our federal partners and international law enforcement agencies to ensure they are brought back to answer the serious allegations against them.”
Header image: Top left to right, Anthony Pele, Rafat Alameddine, Rabeih Baltagi, Maher Elabd. Bottom left to right, John-Ray Baysarri, Hussein Jaouhar, Hussein Zayoun, Daniel Toutounji (NSW Police).
