Alleged Alameddine gang members front court after sweeping dawn raids across southwest Sydney

Alleged members of a notorious Sydney crime gang are fronting courts across Sydney’s west today following sweeping arrests by strike force police who say they’re working to “eradicate” the criminal group.

Alleged members of the notorious Alameddine crime syndicate have fronted court after 16 arrests.

Western Sydney courtrooms were inundated with alleged members of the notorious Alameddine crime syndicate, after dawn raids in the city’s southwest saw 16 people arrested on Wednesday.

At least 11 people appeared before local courts at Bankstown, Parramatta, Liverpool and Fairfield on Thursday – including some who, police say, are masterminds of the gang.

Notorious Sydney rapper Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes was among those arrested but remains in custody charged with kidnapping in company. He did not apply for bail.

The raids were the culmination of an 11-month investigation by the Criminal Groups Squad, which saw 250 police officers storm locations across southwest Sydney to execute 18 warrants.

Police will allege the operations snared some of the most senior members of the Alameddine crime clan who remain in Sydney – including Ali Elmoubayed, Mahdy Zaineddine, Samimjan Azari and Elias Hajeer.

The men were arrested between 5.40am and 6.30am on Wednesday in locations across Sydney’s southwest.

Elmoubayed, 30, was arrested in Guildford and charged with 33 offences relating to alleged kidnapping, participating in a criminal group and commercial drug supply.

NSW Police have charged 16 people, executed 18 warrants and seized three firearms in sweeping raids across Sydney on Wednesday morning. Picture: NSW Police

Mahdy Zaineddine, 23, was arrested in Casula and charged with 20 counts of supplying a prohibited drug, three counts of dealing with proceeds of crime, two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol, knowingly directing group criminal activity and failing to comply with a digital access order.

Detectives arrested Elias Hajeer, 22, in Cartwright before he was charged with 15 offences relating to possessing an unauthorised firearm and participating in a criminal group.

Zaineddine, who is currently being held at Amber Laurel Correctional Centre, did not apply for bail during a brief mention of his matters.

According to court documents, police will allege Zaineddine supplied 3.774kg of cocaine, 3.720 grams of methamphetamine, 34kg of cannabis and 2kg of amphetamines since July 2022, through the Merrylands and West Guildford areas.

It will be further alleged he had in his possession two unauthorised pistols, a gold Chiappa Rhino and .45 Calibre along with $475,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Co-accused Hajeer also did not appear for his brief court mention at Liverpool.

Hajeer is charged with 10 counts of supplying prohibited drugs, two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol, dealing with properly the proceeds of crime, possessing a dedicated encrypted communication device to commit serious criminal activity and failing to comply with a digital access order.

According to court documents police will allege between April 2023 and March this year Hajeer supplied 1.561kgof cocaine in Guildford West and Merrylands, as well as 2.265kg of methamphetamine.

Both men will remain in custody, bail refused, with their matters due to return to court at Parramatta Local Court on May 23.

A 23-year-old man was arrested in Casula. Picture: NSW Police

A 22-year-old man was arrested in Cartwright. Picture: NSW Police

Samimjan Azari, 25, was arrested in Merrylands and charged with four offences at Blacktown police station.

In Bankstown Local Court, Azari’s lawyer Steven Boland withdrew his initial bail application following his submissions before the court break to review additional material relating to the case.

Mr Boland said there were multiple “curiosities” about his client’s charges after less than $30,000 was found in two properties allegedly linked to Azari on June 23 last year.

Court documents state $13,875 was found in a property in Auburn and $14,900 at North Parramatta.

“The case is a year old, you would expect some more information,” he said.

Magistrate Shane McNaulty read from the fact sheet that police found guns as well as money following an ongoing investigation.

“The allegation in the fact sheet is for 12 months they (police) observed him at another premises and have telephone intercepts engaging him in criminal activity over the next few months,” Mr McNaulty said.

Mr Boland said the police facts included a “hyperbolic antecedence” on his client who has “not been involved with law enforcement for the last 10 months” while on parole for an unrelated offence.

“It’s clear that some of the co-accused have been charged with serious offences … but it’s not the case for this individual,” he said.

Police arrested a total of 16 people in relation to the alleged criminal activity of the group. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Boland withdrew his bail application for Azari as he claimed it would be a “significant disservice for not requiring material” relating to a firearm uncovered at a property.

“Someone else has been charged for the firearms … police haven’t made any allegations of the firearms linking to him,” he said.

Azari was charged with four offences including two counts of dealing with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity and failing to comply with digital evidence access order direction.

Magistrate Shane McNaulty denied Azari bail and adjourned the matter to Parramatta Local Court on May 23.

A man was also arrested in Parramatta in connection with the raids. Picture: NSW Police

The man was later identified as rapper Ali Younes (AKA Ay Huncho). Picture: YouTube

Sydney rapper Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes was arrested at the Meriton Apartments on George St in Parramatta on Wednesday.

His lawyer, Abdul Saddik, requested to adjourn the matter and told the court he intended to make an application for bail on the next occasion.

Magistrate McAnulty granted the adjournment to Parramatta Court on April 4.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said the raids had “cleaned up what was left” of the syndicate.

Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said he expected the bloodshed of Sydney’s relentless gangland wars to end as a result of these Alameddine arrests.

During the search warrants police also seized three firearms, large quantities of drugs, knives, cars, luxury goods and $60,000 in cash – all items were taken for forensic examination.

Investigations continue.

Police also seized large quantities of drugs, weapons and luxury goods in the raids. Picture: NSW Police.

They seized $60,000 in cash. Picture: NSW Police

And a range of weapons, including knives and three firearms. Picture: NSW Police

Police arrested 11 other people during the raids, including a 15-year-old, who fronted local and children’s courts on Thursday.

A 20-year-old is expected to appear before Burwood Local Court on April 11.