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By late 2022, the Alameddine crime family faced increasing scrutiny from law enforcement as they attempted to maintain their dominance in Sydney’s organized crime scene. After enduring a protracted feud with the rival Hamzy family, the Alameddines found themselves weakened and under pressure from both police and competing factions. With the net closing in, Rafat Alameddine, the patriarch of the family, opted to flee to Lebanon, where he reportedly continues to oversee a sprawling criminal network from a safe distance.

Since the Alameddine family’s exodus, internal strife has emerged, leading to a significant loss of loyal members and a recent contender for supremacy: the Coconut Cartel. This group has escalated its violent campaign against the Alameddine network, aiming to usurp their control over Sydney’s lucrative drug trade. The escalating conflict has prompted a renewed police crackdown on organized crime, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle for gangland supremacy in Sydney.

Recent events have underscored the volatility of the situation. On a Tuesday morning, retired NRL star Matt Utai was shot outside his Greenacre home, an incident believed to be linked to his son Iziah’s involvement with the Coconut Cartel. The attack on Utai, who was shot twice, is part of a broader pattern of retaliation and violence that has intensified in the wake of the gang rivalry.

The Rise of the Coconut Cartel

The Coconut Cartel, which emerged from members formerly affiliated with the Alameddine network, has been openly challenging the Merrylands-based family. Reports suggest that this group comprises young men of Pacific Islander descent who have shifted their loyalties in pursuit of their own stake in the drug trade. They have publicly targeted the Alameddine family, engaging in violent confrontations aimed at dismantling what was once an unassailable criminal empire.

Within 24 hours of Matt Utai’s shooting, his son Iziah’s home in Guildford West was attacked, set alight and another property linked to him was riddled with bullets. The Alameddine network has since declared war on Iziah, whom detectives have identified as a central figure in the Coconut Cartel. Iziah Utai is also wanted in connection with the murder of senior Alameddine figure Dawood Zakaria, further complicating the web of violence surrounding these gangs.

Police Response and Ongoing Violence

The violence associated with this gangland conflict has prompted the formation of Strike Force Halesowen by the NSW Police’s Raptor Squad, which has been actively pursuing members of the Alameddine family and their rivals. Following the recent attacks on Matt Utai and his son, detectives arrested multiple individuals, including a 15-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man, both charged with attempted murder.

The ongoing tit-for-tat violence has raised concerns among law enforcement about the potential for further escalation. Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy noted the troubling trend of overseas-based crime figures, like Rafat Alameddine, directing operations from abroad. This situation complicates police efforts to apprehend high-value targets and dismantle the criminal networks at play.

Internal Conflicts and the Future of the Alameddine Network

The Alameddine network has suffered significant setbacks due to arrests of key figures, including Ali Elmoubayed, who has been identified as the onshore leader of the group. Despite these challenges, Rafat Alameddine’s influence remains substantial, as he continues to orchestrate the family’s activities from Lebanon.

As the conflict continues, the landscape of Sydney’s organized crime is shifting. New gangs like G7 have emerged, adding to the complexity of the criminal underworld. This group, along with the Coconut Cartel, poses a direct challenge to the Alameddine family’s authority, indicating a potential realignment of power within Sydney’s gangland.

With multiple factions vying for control and police efforts intensifying, the situation remains precarious. The potential for further violence looms large as both sides prepare for retaliation. As such, the future of the Alameddine crime family and their rivals remains uncertain, with law enforcement aiming to disrupt these ongoing conflicts.

As this gangland war unfolds, observers will be keenly watching for the next confirmed developments. The ongoing investigations and police operations are expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this violent struggle for supremacy in Sydney’s organized crime.

Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the escalating gang violence and the implications for law enforcement in Sydney’s underworld.