More 150 police assigned to super taskforce to investigate dangerous crime across Sydney
More than 150 police will investigate more than a dozen incidents of murder, kidnapping, arson and drive by shootings to see if they are linked and who is behind them under the banner of Taskforce Falcon. Search our interactive map.
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Senior police believe the shooting of two men in a car at Parramatta in broad daylight on Sunday afternoon could be the catalyst for repeat of the Hamze-Alamadinne war which saw more than 20 killed, including innocent people.
More than 150 police will now investigate over a dozen incidents of murder, kidnapping, arson and drive by shootings to see if they are linked and who is behind them under the banner of Taskforce Falcon.
The taskforce takes in 11 strike forces set up to investigate incidents across Sydney, along with two others established to more broadly examine the activities of specific criminal networks.
Police say it is a proactive move to and replicates a similar task force, Magnum, which made multiple arrests over a year ago into a number of gangland murders and quelled the violence until the most recent outbreak.
STRIKE FORCE SHERRINGHAM
Investigating the “criminality of members and associates of a high-profile organised crime network” – Alameddine crime clan, which police allege is led by Rafat Alameddine.
STRIKE FORCE KERSLEY
Focusing on the “criminality of members and associates of an organised crime network”, which police alleged is the “Afghani crew”, a secret hit squad and guns-for-hire gang.
STRIKE FORCE LOUGHREA
Investigating the Canley Heights shooting murder of David Khou, 31, who police said had links to Asian organised crime syndicates. Khou was sitting in his car in December 2024 when he was shot, with a getaway car later found ablaze at Wakeley.
STRIKE FORCE BROSE
February 18 2025 at Brighton-Le-Sands
Three men shot at while standing beside a car in Brighton-Le-Sands. Police said three gunmen fled the scene in an Audi SUV, which was found torched in nearby Narwee.
STRIKE FORCE BEECH
April 16 2025 at Guildford West
Investigating bullets fired at a house on Faulds Rd at Guildford West. No one was injured. Getaway car was found burnt out later. Thought to be linked to an ongoing feud between Alameddines and the KVT gang, with a former resident of the house having links to one of the groups.
STRIKE FORCE DEURNE
May 12 2025 at Yennora
Truck driver shot several times but survived. Police said the driver was cut off by another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle fired several shots at the truck before getting back into his car.
STRIKE FORCE DREVER
February 27 2025 at Parramatta
Investigating attempted kidnapping of a 36-year-old man. Police saw three men wearing balaclavas running from a vehicle in North Parramatta before chasing them. A search of their car uncovered duct tape, cuffs and a baseball bat. Police believe the target had a tracking device fitted on his car.
STRIKE FORCE COBAW
April 30 2025 at Liverpool
Arson attack at a barbershop in Moore St. Police said an explosive was thrown into the shop in a targeted attack. The shop had just been renovated and only reopened a few weeks beforehand.
STRIKE FORCE BERCHEM
May 8-9 2025 at Merrylands
Two arson attacks at the same barbershop in Merrylands. In the first attack, CCTV captured the moment the bumbling arsonist set himself alight while throwing accelerant on the shopfront.
STRIKE FORCE HARKSTEDE
May 19 2025 at Condell Park
Investigating shooting murder of plumber John Versace, 23, in his driveway. Police said Mr Versace has no links to organised crime and was likely the victim of mistaken identity.
STRIKE FORCE ARRINO
May 25 2025 at Granville/Parramatta
Probing shooting of Darwood Zakaria, who died from injuries. Solicitor Sylvan Singh also injured.
STRIKE FORCE HAMERT
March 22 2025 at Merrylands
A mother and four children were inside a house in Merrylands when 17 shots were fired into the home. Police said it involved an “innocent family caught in the crossfire” and that the intended target moved out a few months prior.
STRIKE FORCE EVERE
May 9 2025 at Mount Druitt
Investigating up to 30 shots fired into the home of a bikie associate. Six children were home at the time. Suspected target had just arrived from interstate when a gunman opened fire. Police said the target was stabbed at Rookwood Cemetery last year following the funeral of another bikie.
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