A new police taskforce has been established to coordinate investigations into a spate of fatal shootings in Sydney involving rival organised crime gangs.
Thirteen people have been killed in gang violence in Sydney's west and southwest over the past 18 months.
The latest shooting happened on Saturday when the nephew of slain gangland figure Mahmoud "Brownie" Ahmad was shot dead at his western Sydney home - the third fatal shooting in recent weeks.
A supplied image shows Ibrahem Hamze being escorted by NSW Police Raptor Squad after arriving at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, Tuesday, 25 January, 2022. Ibrahem Hamze, 27, was extradited from Queensland to NSW on Tuesday and charged with shooting with intent to murder and soliciting a murder following the attack outside a Prospect gym in November 2021. Source: AAP / NSW POLICE/PR IMAGE
Taskforce Erebus is being led by the State Crime Command under the National Organised Crime Response Plan and will oversee the strategic targeting of organised criminal networks.
The taskforce will examine the circumstances and links between recent fatal shootings as well as dozens of acts of violence and the supply of prohibited drugs, illicit firearms, vehicle theft and various other criminal activities.
The taskforce brings together Australian Federal Police, detectives in southwest Sydney, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Mick Fitzgerald said the taskforce would build on the information and leads already gathered by investigators "and ensure they have the resources to keep targeting and putting pressure on these criminal groups on all fronts".
Detectives will consult intelligence analysts with expertise in homicide, organised crime, financial and cybercrimes, criminal groups, networks and their associates.
"These public acts of violence are dangerous and while they are targeted - regardless of who the victim is - it will not be tolerated," Mr Fitzgerald said on Monday.
Police speak with residents at the scene of a shooting in Greenacre, Sydney, Thursday, 28 April, 2022. A man shot dead in Sydney's southwest is believed to be crime figure Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad, who was recently released from jail. Source: AAP / DEAN LEWINS/AAPIMAGE
"It only takes one stray bullet to injure or kill an innocent person.
"As such, police will not back down, we will continue to target anyone who shows a blatant disregard for community safety."
Since October, police investigating criminal gangs have arrested 260 people and laid more than 840 charges.
SCC Director of Crime Operations, Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, says the focus continues to be on the links between organised criminal networks and those who associate with – and between – the groups.
"We know the victims in these crimes associated in similar circles and this taskforce allows for centralised examination of how those connections relate to the shootings, and possible motivations," he said.
"It also allows for expert co-ordination of resources and high-pressure targeting of the criminality at the centre of the shootings."
