Shooting drug war theory as police hunt Kensington gunmen
A drug turf war is thought to have been behind a fight-night triple shooting in Kensington which left a young dad dead, with police believed to have been alerted to links between the wanted men’s network and a member of the family of drug trafficker Tony Mokbel.
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A drug turf war is thought to have been behind last Friday’s fight-night triple shooting which left a young dad dead.
Three men — two of them violent brothers who have been linked to gun and drug crime — were on Monday night still at large, sought by police.
Police are also believed to have been alerted to links between the wanted men’s network and a member of the family of drug trafficker Tony Mokbel, who was bashed and stabbed in Barwon Prison last month. Authorities have been aware there might be payback.
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Ben Togiai, 30, died as bullets flew outside a boxing event at the Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington last Friday night.
Two other people who were wounded in the shooting remain in hospital, one of them in a critical condition.
A manhunt is under way for Mikhael Myko, 25, of Pascoe Vale, and the El Nasher brothers, Abdullah, 27, and Ali, 28, of Brunswick. They had received giveaway tickets to the night.
Mr Togiai, a labourer, attended the boxing with workmates from Kingcon Construction.
On February 7, arsonists had set alight the company’s Maribyrnong factory.
Two days before that, there was a drive-by shooting at the El Nasher brothers’ home.
The brothers have been on the radar of specialist Middle Eastern organised crime detectives for years. They are regarded as well-connected to powerful families with links to gun-running, drug trafficking and vehicle crime.
Their reputation is such that the elite Special Operations Group have been used to execute warrants at their Hope St home.
Their associations stretch to Sydney, and the Herald Sun understands NSW police have been briefed on the possibility they may try to hide there.
Melbourne Pavilion owner Brian Amatruda said the three wanted men had been asked to leave the boxing earlier in the night.
“They were being slightly aggressive. It’s a sit-down event, so it’s very relaxed. And so we asked them to go, and they left. They said sorry and then left — and about 15 minutes later, shots were fired outside,” he said.
“I don’t know if the other group went outside or if they rocked up from elsewhere.
“I’d never seen any of them before.”
Mr Amatruda said new people rarely attended, unless tickets were given away. “All our people are corporates.
“I spoke to the guy who has the table and he said he has no idea what happened.
“He doesn’t know them. He said he couldn’t go so he gave them away, and somehow these guys have ended up with (the tickets).
“I’ve gone 15 years without an incident. It’s a well-run, boutique event.”
Mr Amatruda said police “said it’s a drug war that has been going on for two years”.
“It was going to happen the next time they saw each other, regardless of where they were,” he said.
“It could have happened anywhere — at a McDonald’s, at a library.”
A Lalor man, 34, remains in a critical condition. Also shot was Omar Bchinnati, 32, wounded in the leg.
Mr Togiai’s former partner, Shae Mccoullough, wrote on social media: “How could someone do this to another person?
“I’m so heartbroken and can’t even begin to imagine how hard life is going to be without you.”
She said Mr Togiai was a “goofball” who deeply cared for those around him.
“I’m so angry you’re not here any more. I don’t want (our daughter) to have a life without you. She doesn’t deserve this … I’m sitting here still thinking this is all just a dream …”
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au
VIOLENT FUGITIVES
Fugitive brothers Ali and Abdullah El Nasher are no strangers to extreme violence.
Both spent time behind bars after a disturbing and seemingly unprovoked attack which left their victim fearing for his life.
The man, 38, was driving along Harrison St, Brunsick East when he asked for help navigating his car through a group of 30 people, including the brothers, standing in the street on September 27, 2012.
Court records show the group kicked and punched the victim’s car as Abdullah ordered him from the vehicle and attempted to take his keys.
The victim managed to escape, sparking a high-speed chase involving both brothers.
During sentencing, County Court Judge Richard Maidment said the pair trapped the man before carrying out a “brutal” and “cowardly” attack.
“The two of you opened the driver’s side door, pulled the victim part of the way out of the car, slammed his head into the door a number of times, threw him onto the road and punched and kicked him to his body and head, not alone but with the help of others who were holding him down,” he said.
“He, the victim, defecated himself out of fear and thought he was going to die.”
Both brothers were sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.
In February 2015, Abdullah and two other men were arrested and charged with serious drug offences.
Police alleged they found 120.4 grams of the drug ice worth an estimated $60,000 and $5127 in cash during a routine traffic intercept in Pascoe Vale.
Last August the El Nasher family home in Hope St, Brunswick was raided by heavily armed police in connection to illegal firearms.
Drugs and ammunition were among the items seized from the home — covered by an extensive CCTV network.
Ali, 28, was arrested and charged with possessing steroids and hindering police.
He is expected to face the charges at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next month.
His brother, Abdullah, 27, was also arrested in connection to the Brunwick raids.
Ali has also been charged with possessing a handgun without a licence, ammunition and trafficking cannabis and ecstasy.
He was ordered to do unpaid community work for 18 months starting April 4 last year, undergo drug testing and attend the Carlton Community Correction Centre as part of his sentence.
The third shooting suspect, Mikhael Myko, 25, from Pascoe Vale, is currently facing charges laid by the Armed Crime Squad.
He is scheduled to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on May 15.
Court records show he was ordered to pay $250 on charges, including driving while disqualified and excessive speed, at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court in October last year.
The identity of a fourth person wanted by police remains unknown.
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