Sydney’s gangland figures head overseas as police turn up the heat

More than 80 underworld players on Sydney’s streets have left the state since the beginning of last year as police continue to turn up the heat over the gang war.

Mohamad ‘Moey’ Alameddine (centre) is the latest figure to head overseas.

Major Sydney crime figure Mohamad “Moey” Alameddine left Australia six days ago and is one of 80 underworld players to leave since the beginning of last year due to increasing pressure from NSW cops over the gang war.

The 39-year-old flew to Dubai on Anzac Day.

“There is a list of 80 crime figures who have left Sydney, the majority to overseas, of which 20 would be classified as major members in the ­Alamaddines/Hamze conflict or senior members of outlaw motorcycle gangs,’’ Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein, director of crime operations for NSW State Crime Command, said.

“The exodus of these figures started soon after the establishment of Task Force Erebus, set up to investigate the murders of a number of crime figures.”

Not all of those who have left are involved in the Alameddine-Hamze conflict but are members or associates of other crime syndicates police have also targeted recently.

Mohamad Alameddine has headed overseas.

Rafat Alameddine at a lavish wedding in Lebanon.

Mohamad Alameddine, also known as “Almo”, is considered to be more closely aligned with the Comanchero bikie gang than the crime family he shares a name with, but is considered one of the most powerful figures in the Sydney underworld.“There have been quite a few arrests in recent months in relation to the murders which has unsettled people in that world and those involved are worried they are next,’’ Chief Superintendent Weinstein said.

Police have stepped up their campaign on those involved in the war by issuing Serious Crime Prevention orders, Firearm Prohibition Orders or Consorting Law warnings.

“They have become the focus of intense police scrutiny where we use every available and lawful tool to disrupt any criminal activities they are involved with or planning,’’ Detective Weinstein said.

“We have made their lives and that of their families so uncomfortable they have decided to run.”

Other states are now ­arresting people who are subject to NSW Serious Crime Prevention Orders.

“Before, bikie bosses hit with Serious Crime Prevention Orders by NSW would move interstate but we saw with the head of the Comanchero, Alan Meehan, when he moved to Queensland, they arrested him for breaching those orders,’’ Chief Superintendent Weinstein said.

Masood Zakaria was arrested in Turkey.

Federal and international police agencies, briefed by NSW police, are engaged in making life difficult for those overseas as well.

“The arrest of Mark Buddle (in Turkey) and Massud Zakaria (an Alamadinne senior member also in Turkey) (showed) that you are not immune from arrests and deportation back to Australia.”

Sydney’s gangland war exploded in late 2020 with the murder of former Comanchero bikie, Farres Abounader at his Panania home.

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It was closely followed by the murder of Mejid Hamzy at Condell Park kicking off a tit for tat gangland war for the next 18 months.

In the two years from 2020 to 2022 there were 23 organised crime related murders, not all related to the highly publicised feud between the Alamaddines and Hamzes.

So far in 2023 there has only been one gangland murder, that of Taha Sabbagh outside the Elite Fitness Gym in Sefton, which has resulted in one person already arrested for alleged involvement and more expected to follow.

A number of underworld sources said police pressure isn’t the only reason a lot of underworld people are heading overseas.

“Some are worried about getting killed or at the moment losing their fingers to these mad kidnappers...chopping off fingers and ripping out teeth was not the normal way of doing business, even for crooks.”