Underworld figure Ayman Manly charged with murder of Mohammad Chami, whose body was found in Holroyd gutter in 2022

NSW Police have made a major breakthrough after an 18-month investigation into the alleged murder of Mohammad Chami.

Chami’s body on the side of the road in Holroyd. Picture: Tim Hunter

Underworld figure Ayman Manly has been charged with the alleged 2022 murder of Mohammad Chami, with police alleging a “personal dispute” between the men was the motive for the killing.

Chami, then 40, was found shot dead on the side of the road near Holroyd, in Sydney’s west, about 11.50pm on Thursday, March 3, 2022.

The discovery of Chami’s body came moments after police had found another man suffering gunshot wounds to his buttocks at a service station around the corner in Merrylands.

He was taken to hospital in a stable condition and has since recovered from the shooting.

After an investigation spanning 18 months, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad arrested Manly at an apartment block on Wednesday morning before charging him with Chami’s murder as well as shoot with intent to murder — over the wounding of the other man.

Police have charged Ayman Manly (pictured) over the shooting murder of Mohammad Chami at Holroyd in March 2022. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Mohammad Chami was found dead on the side of a road. Picture: Channel 7

Homicide Squad boss Danny Soherty said police would allege the actions of Manly – an associate of the Haouchar organised crime clan – had added to the “chaos” on Sydney’s streets in recent years.

“This alleged murder was a brazen public place shooting resulting in the death of one man, the wounding of another and chaos in the streets of Sydney,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

Manly was arrested by Homicide Squad detectives during an early morning raid at his apartment block on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

“But this shooting was not driven by drugs or money.

“This shooting was the direct result of a personal disagreement between two men which resulted in death and terror.

“That is why today’s results are so important for detectives.

“It was a hard-fought investigation that has not only brought answers to Mohammad’s family but also to the wider Sydney community who was impacted by this violent attack.”

NSW Police set up Strike Force Severne in the wake of Chami’s death, and have spent the past 18 months investigating. Picture: Tim Hunter

Initial inquiries were conducted by Cumberland Police Area Command, before Homicide Squad detectives took over the investigation as part of Strike Force Severne.

Manly was taken to Mascot Police Station after his arrest and charged with murder, shoot with intent to murder, possess pistol and also possess firearm in contravention of firearms prohibition order (FPO).

He faced Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail.

He is scheduled to next appear on November 4.

NSW Police said in a statement that their investigations under Strike Force Severne would continue.

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