Plot against rapper Ay Huncho revealed, as police ‘eliminate’ Alameddine crime clan and drug ring

Controversial rapper Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes is one of 16 men charged after widespread raids police allege have “eliminated” what was left of the Alameddine crime clan and its associates.

Sydney rapper Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes spent the past few weeks moving between addresses after six armed men turned up at his home to either abduct or kill him.

The plot against Younes meant it took NSW Police a few hours to locate him on Wednesday morning amid widespread raids targeting the Alameddine crime clan, who they claim to have “eliminated”.

An 11-month investigation by the Criminal Groups Squad under Strike Force Wessex culminated in more than 200 police officers hitting the streets and arresting 16 men, all of who allegedly are members or have links to the Alameddines - the criminal group who since 2020 have been central to much of the bloodshed in Sydney’s underworld war.

All 16 were later charged by investigators on Wednesday night.

Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes is one of 15 men arrested on Wednesday, as part of a widespread NSW Police operation. Picture: Supplied

Ali Younes, AKA Ay Huncho.

Younes was arrested on George St in Parramatta by the Raptor Squad, as part of Strike Force Wessex.

The biggest name to be arrested was Younes, who was located by police at the Meriton Apartments on George St in Parramatta - just a few hundred metres away from State Crime Command where detectives have been working since last April on their investigations.

Sources told The Daily Telegraph that in recent weeks, Younes had become aware he was being targeted by a rival criminal gang and was constantly switching locations.

“About eight weeks ago six to eight guys turned up at his home wearing balaclavas and strapped (meaning wearing guns),” an underworld source said.

“But he wasn’t home, only his brother and since then has been living in hotels, apartments and other places.”

A senior police source confirmed they were aware of the threat, saying: “He knew someone was after him”.

Younes grew up with senior members of the Alameddine clan, including its alleged leader Rafat Alameddine.

But through his music he has gathered a cult following, particularly in Sydney’s south-west, where he has been involved in a public feud with rival rap group OneFour.

Younes was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with alleged kidnapping offences.
He will face Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.

Criminal Groups Squad boss Grant Taylor said police had regularly issued warnings to Younes about his links to the Alameddines, with it now to be alleged he was involved in the kidnapping of a man at Granville on January 19.

Ali Elmoubayed on Wednesday morning during Strike Force Wessex arrests.

Elmoubayed during a previous arrest in 2023. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“That person [Younes] has always been very closely aligned with individuals that we have been investigating in the Alameddine syndicate, for time memorial,” Mr Taylor said.

“He has been warned many a time, and he hasn’t taken that to heed.”

Younes’ solicitor Abdul Saddik was contacted for comment.

Wednesday morning’s operation netted some of the most senior members of the Alameddine crime clan still left in Sydney, after several high-profile figures - including Rafat Alameddine - moved overseas last year.

They included Ali Elmoubayed, Mahdy Zaineddine, Samimjan Azari and Elias Hajeer.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said detectives had uncovered the Alameddines were making $1 million a week through their drug distribution network.

“When you look at the quantity of product they were distributing, we will allege this network was making up to $1 million per week,” Dep Comm Hudson said.

“It is a significant amount of money which drives this conflict, fuels the violence, fuels the antagonism between the groups.

Mahdy Zaineddine was among those arrested.

So too was Samimjan Azari.

Elias Hajeer is led out of a NSW Police paddy wagon.

“As we are all aware, since 2020 Sydney has been enveloped with conflict in the criminal fraternity with in excess of 20 organised crime related murders.

“Much of this conflict and many of these murders were related to what has been referred to as conflict between the Alameddine and Hamzy crime groups... which as we have previously articulated were as a result of the illicit drug trade.”

Police earlier this month announced they had shut down 26 drug runner phones as part of the first phase of Strike Force Wessex.

Some of the phone numbers — whose operators used aliases such as ‘Dior, ‘Tommy’ and ‘Ricky’ — had been dealing drugs for up to 10 years.

Over that time they had developed a network of 50,000 customers across NSW, some of whom received texts from police warning them they were dealing with organised crime.

The text message to customers read: “The NSW Police Force: Strike Force Wessex has identified this number engaging with an organised crime drug supply ‘dial-a-dealer’ phone.

“If this continues you may be subject to further investigation. Cease all contact now.”

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