The rise of feared Notorious Crime Family gang

The fearsome Notorious Crime Family continues to grow in power, with gang members allegedly plotting to break crime boss George Marrogi out of prison.

Notorious Crime Family members Jimmey Barkho and Jesse Marrogi. Picture: Supplied

The fearsome Notorious Crime Family – aka NCF – has grown in power since its inception in 2019.

Allegedly established by triggerman George Marrogi from his high-security Barwon Prison cell, the gang has quickly amassed members and associates with serious organised crime links, including some who police believe were willing to commit murder.

NCF has strongholds in both the state prison system and Melbourne, particularly the northern suburbs.

George Marrogi allegedly established NCF from his prison cell.

It has ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs, with members linked to high-level drug trafficking, standover rackets, shootings and assaults.

Underworld sources say NCF is also closely linked to Sydney outfits Assyrian Kings and Last Hour.

The charging of gang boss Marrogi, known as ‘Cross’, at the weekend came as tensions outside prison threatened to escalate into tit-for-tat violence between NCF and rival underworld players of Kurdish descent.

On Saturday, police swooped to thwart potential bloodshed after phone taps revealed Marrogi had allegedly orchestrated hits from prison.

One target was believed to be a close associate, possibly a family member.

Investigations also revealed associates of NCF had allegedly planned to break Marrogi out of prison, where he’s accused of co-ordinating major drug importations with the help of his girlfriend, Antonietta Mannella.

Marrogi has emerged as powerful a figure inside prison as he was on the streets of Melbourne prior to his arrest in 2016 over the fatal shooting of Kadir Ors.

Jimmey Barkho is among the gang’s most high-profile members.

Sabrine Maghnie, daughter of the late Nabil Maghnie

Well connected to Middle Eastern organised crime syndicates, Marrogi has been able to recruit prisoners and other members to NCF from inside Barwon’s top-security Acacia Unit.

Among the gang’s most high-profile members on the outside is drug trafficker Jimmey Barkho.

Barkho is highly connected in Middle Eastern organised crime figures in both Victoria and Sydney and was previously described by police as a “prolific drug dealer”.

In his most recent run-in with the law, Barkho was sprung with a stash of methamphetamine and $1700 in his Louis Vuitton bag.

He pleaded guilty to drug and proceeds of crime charges in February and was spared further jail time.

A decade earlier he was shot in the hand in a drug dispute.

NCF is described as a “patriotically Assyrian” criminal network, with members proudly tattooed with the gang symbol.

Members on the outside are big on status symbols, often pictured wearing luxury clothing labels and driving expensive cars.

Jesse Marrogi and girlfriend Sabrine Maghnie.

Marrogi’s sister, Meshlin Marrogi, died suddenly in 2021.

The gang also has apparent corporate and charitable links.

The Marrogi family is tied to fashion label The NFC Company, which stands for Nurturing Christian Families.

Believed to also be founded by George Marrogi, the company sells $200 hoodies emblazoned with NCF and Assyrian logos.

According to its website, it donates its profits to needy Assyrian families.

The fashion label has been promoted by figures including Jesse Marrogi, the younger brother of George Marrogi, as well as Sabrine Maghnie, the girlfriend of Jesse Marrogi and daughter of slain gangster Nabil Maghnie.

According to its social media page, The NCF Company was established in honour of Meshlin Marrogi, sister of George and Jesse Marrogi.

She died suddenly in 2021.

Earlier this month, The NCF Company posted social media vision of members handing out “necessity packs” at the Queen Victoria Market in tribute to Meshlin Marrogi.