Alleged crime boss Rafat Alameddine wanted for Sydney murder

Police tasked with unravelling Sydney’s underworld war have made a major announcement over the alleged killing of a father and son.

The alleged head of Sydney’s Alameddine crime network is among three men wanted over “one of the worst organised crime assassinations” in the country’s history, police have revealed.

NSW Police have issued arrest warrants for three alleged underworld figures over the alleged shooting murders of Salim and Toufik Hamze in October, 2021.

Among the wanted men is Rafat Alameddine, who police have alleged in court is the leader of the criminal organisation bearing his name.

Rafat Alameddine is wanted for an alleged murder. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Rafat Alameddine in a 2019 mugshot.

Salim and Toufik Hamze’s deaths have long been linked to an alleged gangland war between the Hamzy and Alameddine gangs which exploded in 2020.

The father and son were allegedly shot while sitting in a car outside their Osgood St, Guilford home as they prepared to go to work.

The two men were alleged shot dead on their work ute. Picture: Supplied

Fire crews attend to a torched getaway car.

Police believe Salim, 18, was a low-level member of the Hamzy network but his father, 64, was an innocent party caught in the crossfire.

Four people - aged 20, 25, 18 and 23 - have previously been charged over the incident and remain before the courts.

Toufik (left) and his son Salim Hamze.

NSW Police announced on Wednesday detectives had arrested a further two people and were seeking the arrest of three others - Rafat Alameddine, John Ray Bayssari and Zaid Abdelhafez.

Mr Alameddine, 30, is believed to be living overseas after he left Australia following the end of a criminal trial in late 2022.

He has been spotted in Lebanon in pictures from a lavish wedding and others shared by relatives.

Alameddine’s lawyer Abdul Saddik said he was not in a position to comment.

Police said it was also believed Mr Bayssari, 33, and Mr Abdelhafez, 24, were offshore.

John Ray Bayssari.

Zaid Abdelhafez in 2021.

“The callous murders of father and son, Toufik and Salim Hamze, was one of the worst organised crime assassinations we’ve seen in Australia, in which an innocent man was caught up in the violence and depravity,” Assistant Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald said.

“Now these three men are officially wanted on the charges of murder, we are appealing to them today to come home and face the consequences.

“And as they will be no doubt aware, the arm of the law is far reaching – and there are no safe havens to hide.”

Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the alleged murders of Salim and Toufik Hamze “galvanised” his team to pursue everyone involved “from the puppets to the puppeteers”.

“With the arrest warrants now obtained for these three well-known organised crime figures, I can confidently say our detectives are close in solving this brutal murder in its totality.”

Investigations under Strike Force Ormerod continue.