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. See which ones they are.

Police at Dalton Ave Condell Park where a man died after being shot. Picture: Monique Harmer

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.

Rafat Alameddine pictured in 2019. Picture: Supplied

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.

An abandoned car was found on fire on Bathurst St in Wakeley shortly after A shooting on Sutherland Street in Canley Vale on December 29th 2024. Picture: Supplied

STRIKE FORCE BROSE

February 18 2025 at Brighton-Le-Sands
Three men shot at while standing beside a car. 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. 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.

Police at the scene of a home in Guildford West after a shooting on Faulds Road on 16th April. Picture: Gaye Gerard

STRIKE FORCE DEURNE

(May 12 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 at Parramatta)

Investigating attempted kidnapping of a 36-year-old man. Police saw three men wearing balaclavas running from a vehicle 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.

The crime scene at Sunday’s Granville shooting. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

STRIKE FORCE COBAW

(April 30 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 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 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 at Granville/Parramatta)

Probing shooting of Darwood Zakaria, who died from injuries. Solicitor Sylvan Singh also injured.

The shooting crime scene on Donald St in Yennora. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

STRIKE FORCE HAMERT

(March 22 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 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.

Originally published as More 150 police assigned to super taskforce to investigate dangerous crime across Sydney