Two brothers arrested over Mejid Hamzy drive-by shooting

Two brothers with links to the Alameddine crime network have been arrested over last year’s murder of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy.

The arrests of two men over the murder of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy could be the beginning of the end for a bloody war between two crime families in Sydney’s southwest, with police “guaranteeing” more arrests will follow.

Ezzeddine Omar, 38, and his brother Mohammed Omar, 44, were on Wednesday charged over their role in the drive-by shooting of Hamzy outside his Condell Park home on October 17 last year.

The arrests came after nine months of investigations.

Mejid Hamzy.

He was gunned down outside his home last year.

It will be alleged that Ezzeddine Omar was a known associate of the Alameddine crime network and that he had been paid to orchestrate and carry out the murder.

Hamzy’s execution is believed to have been the major escalation in the ongoing feud between the two crime networks and Detective Acting Superintendent Grant Taylor, head of the Criminal Groups Squad, said that police would now be making arrests over other crimes — including the killing of Mejid’s cousin Bilal Hamze.

“We will continue to get results with these shootings,” Det Act Supt Taylor said. “So let this be a reminder to anyone who is considering committing violent crimes in southwest Sydney, we will catch you and that is guaranteed.”

One of the men is arrested in Liverpool this morning.

Detectives carried out raids and search warrants at addresses in Croydon, Liverpool, Peakhurst, Bringelly and Helensburgh.

A white Porsche that is suspected to have been stolen from Hunters Hill, as well as jewellery and multiple car parts, were seized during the raids.

“We’re just searching through and sifting through all of those items, just to check exactly what is or isn’t stolen and that may be related to crimes specific to any other shootings,” Det Act Supt Taylor said.

Ezzeddine Omar was charged with 17 offences, including murder, dealing with the proceeds of crime, failing to stop during a police pursuit and knowingly operating an organised car rebirthing activity, and was due to face Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.

Another man is arrested in Croydon.

The man was arrested in relation to last year’s murder of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy.

Police raid a smash repair business at 135 Boundary Road in Peakhurst. Picture: John Grainger

Police allege that after the murder his brother Mohammed Omar helped to conceal a BMW.

The car in question was seen in CCTV vision released by police travelling from Moorebank to Condell Park on the night Hamzy was shot, before returning to Luddenham.

Mohammed was arrested at his Croydon home and charged with six offences including dealing with the proceeds of crime, and faced Burwood Local Court on Wednesday where he made no application for bail.

Police seized items several items from the business. Picture: John Grainger

Several officers were seen inside the premises this morning. Picture: John Grainger

It is not alleged either Omar brother pulled the trigger but Det Act Supt Taylor said those who did “could expect a knock on the door sooner rather than later”.

Mejid’s cousin Ibrahem Hamze — who a court recently heard is also a likely target for rivals — remained tight lipped when asked about the arrests as he left a court appearance on Wednesday.

Police raid a premise in Peakhurst.

The raids in Peakhurst in relation to the murder of underworld figure Mejid Hamzy.

Police have long felt they were closing in on those involved in Hamzy’s killers and just last week released new CCTV footage of a convoy of vehicles they were hoping to identify.

Mejid’s murder was the major escalation in the ongoing feud between the Hamzy and Alameddine organised crime networks.

“Everyone’s aware of the ongoing organised crime conflict that’s taking place around Sydney and everyone’s aware that on occasion that spills over into the public sphere, with public place shootings and targeted murders, and the shooting up of houses,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Darren Bennett, head of the State Crime Command, said.

“The public should feel safer in the knowledge that we cleared up another matter.

“We’ve got an ongoing investigation into this and a number of other matters and we are very confident that will have further positive outcomes in the future.”