Key Points
- Two people police accuse are members of an alleged criminal cell have been arrested.
- Police have alleged that they believe the cell took on a contract to murder four members of rap group ONEFOUR.
- ONEFOUR has long been subject to police attention for their lyrics, which focus on western Sydney gang subcultures.
A plot to kill the members of a controversial rap group was likely motivated by a conflict between an organised crime gang and the would-be victims, police said.
Four members of drill rap group ONEFOUR - Jerome "J Emz" Misa, Pio "YP" Misa, Spencer "Spenny" Magalogo and Dahcell "Celly" Ramos - were allegedly the targets of the thwarted murder plot. A fifth group member, Salec "Lekks" Su'a, lives in New Zealand after being deported in January 2023.
Two men have been charged after detectives dismantled a criminal cell allegedly behind multiple contract kidnappings and a plan to target Sydney-based drill rap group ONEFOUR.
The cell's alleged leader was arrested in a raid at Cartwright in Sydney's southwest early on Thursday after what police said was extensive criminal surveillance of the rappers.
The 26-year-old was charged with 20 offences, including conspiracy to murder and kidnapping, directing a criminal group and multiple weapons, drug and robbery-related crimes.
Another man, aged 20, was arrested in the nearby suburb of Sadleir and was charged with similar conspiracy and drug offences as well as participating in a criminal group.
Both men were due to appear in Liverpool Local Court on Thursday.
Organised Crime Squad commander Peter Faux said investigators identified that the crime cell had taken on a contract to murder the four "high-profile" men.
"We believe that contract was taken on ... on behalf of another organised crime network," he said.
"The 26-year-old arrested today was a part of the plot, however (he) wasn't the mastermind, so to speak.
"There are a number of motives we're looking at, but it's highly likely there's a conflict between the organised crime group that took out this contract and the intended victims."
The criminals had carried out extensive surveillance of the rap group members as part of the plot, police said.
The ONEFOUR music group has been the subject of long-standing police attention for their music, which focuses on western Sydney gang subcultures and includes lyrics that frequently mention violence.
In 2019, they were forced to cancel a national tour after venues were unable to meet security requirements demanded by police.
Faux said the cell was believed to be linked to the Haouchar crime syndicate, which has largely been operated by gang leaders based in Lebanon.
Police say the splinter cell group is allegedly behind a foiled December raid on a Ryde apartment that was housing more than 700kg in cocaine.
Police responded to reports of a break-in at the northwest Sydney property and arrested four men, who were found in the unit block's underground car park sitting in a car and wearing all-black clothing and face coverings.
Officers later searched the apartment and found cocaine worth an estimated $1 billion before arresting the resident, who police said tried to escape by jumping off the balcony.
The 26-year-old man arrested on Thursday was charged in December with attempted kidnapping and firearm possession, but he was released on bail.
"We have evidence that indicates that this male played a significant role in organising the four males to attend that location in order to kidnap the (resident)," Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said.
"We believe this male formed part of this particular cell ... and was responsible for these crimes and many other serious crimes including conspiracies to murder, drug importation, aggravated break and enters, firearm offences."
Two other properties in Riverstone and Ashcroft were raided by police in the current operation.
Police have charged 28 people with various offences related to organised crime as part of the probe, which detectives say has resulted in the Haouchar network being largely dismantled.
A 22-year-old man, believed to be overseas, is still wanted for arrest.
