The alleged kingpin of the infamous Alameddine crime gang has started a new business venture days after police arrested over a dozen people in a crackdown they claim ‘cut the head off the snake’.
Rafat Alameddine, who police allege in court is top of the gang, lodged paperwork for a new renovation business on Friday, just three days after NSW police arrested 18 men – all believed to be low and mid-level associates of the Alameddine group.
Sydney Lavish Renovations is the latest venture added to the 31-year-old’s business portfolio, which includes MSG Group (NSW) Pty Ltd, AAA Top Cut Tree Lopping and Australian Investment Managers.
Alleged gang kingpin Rafat Alameddine (pictured, left) started a renovation business three days after police arrested alleged gang members in raids across Sydney’s south-west
A 450-strong team from the NSW Police Taskforce Erebus raided 29 properties across Sydney’s southwest on May 24, following a 10-month-long organised crime investigation.
Members of the notorious Alameddine crime network, accused of running a ‘dial-a-dealer’ drug business raking in over $250,000 a week, were among those taken into custody.
Rafat Alameddine was not arrested or charged during the raid.
Following the blitz, NSW Police commissioner Karen Webb declared the force had completely dismantled the syndicate and ‘cut the head off the snake’.
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‘Today we smashed an organised criminal network. The entire syndicate has been arrested, including high ranking members of that syndicate,’ Ms Webb said at the time.
‘I’m confident that we’ve cut the head off the snake.
‘The recent gang related violence that has been plaguing Sydney stems directly from the battle for control of these drug markets and the profits.’
A major alleged ‘dial-a-dealer’ drug syndicate has been shut down by police with after 18 people were arrested and dragged out of their homes on March 24 (pictured)
Most of the alleged members of the gang – also known as the ‘Merrylands crew’ – were marched before the courts last week after being slapped with more than 50 charges collectively.
Charges included drug supply, firearm possession, dealing with the proceeds of crime and direct or participate in a criminal group.
Police executed a series of raids last week across Sydney’s west
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