Alameddine crime syndicate’s Sydney CBD birthday bash thwarted again

A second attempt by the Alameddine crime syndicate to throw a 30th birthday party in the CBD failed after NSW police closed the venue down before they even got there.

A second attempt by the Alameddine crime syndicate to throw a 30th birthday party for one of its associates in the CBD failed after police closed the venue before they even got there.

The gang is believed to have paid a $15,000 deposit to have the private party at the trendy The Cat’s Meow bar in Darlinghurst on Saturday.

They had booked the venue after they were knocked back from another exclusive city nightclub which cancelled the reservation when told by police many of the guests were from the crime gang, allegedly led by Rafat Alameddine.

They were also told a large number of female escorts had been booked to attend the function.

When police received information the party was to be booked for the new venue, they applied to have it shut down for 24 hours.

The Cat’s Meow bar on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst – where the Alameddines had hoped to host a birthday bash. Picture: Tim Pascoe

“NSW Police attended a venue on Oxford Street about 8.45pm Saturday 2 July after a short-term closure order was granted by the independent Liquor and Gaming Authority,” police said in a statement on Monday.

Police went to the venue with the order and closed the club before any patrons arrived.

Rafat Alameddine, who police allege leads the Alameddine crime syndicate.

A senior police officer said whenever they have information there may be conflict at a venue, they contact the owners and inform them.

“Sometimes we take out the order so they do not have to get in any sort of conflict with the party booking the venue,” he said.

“They also often use a girlfriend’s or female friend to say it’s their party so the licensee has no idea what sort of crowd they are in for.”

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by The Cat’s Meow.