A new street gang named “G7” has emerged in Sydney, allegedly engaging in criminal activities including car theft and supplying these vehicles to organized crime networks involved in an ongoing gangland war. The conflict is said to have been exacerbated by the defection of a prominent member from the Alameddine crime network, who splintered off to create a rival syndicate. The police have identified that G7 supplied 17 staged vehicles intended for serious criminal acts, suggesting a well-organized operation underpinning the gang’s activities, which serve to heighten the violence and tension between competing factions in the area.
The investigation into G7 was initiated by financial crimes detectives who first noted suspicious activity surrounding vehicle supply to criminal elements in January. Recognizing that these vehicles were frequently used as getaway cars, they escalated their efforts to uncover the full extent of G7’s operations. The police subsequently launched Taskforce Falcon in May, aimed at breaking the cycle of violence linked to the gangland conflict between the Alameddine network and its new rivals. This task force specifically targeted G7 after uncovering its involvement in the ongoing territorial wars.
In a significant development, four members of G7 were arrested as detectives began to piece together the gang’s operations. Among those apprehended was Zane Pera, an 18-year-old who was taken into custody at a Mid North Coast correctional facility. He faces several charges including participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity, and possessing an unauthorized firearm. He has been denied bail and is set to appear in court, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against him.
Further raids conducted in Sydney’s suburbs of Greystanes and Menai resulted in the seizure of substantial evidence linking G7 to organized crime. Authorities found nearly $30,000 in cash, over a kilogram of cocaine, and various firearms, including a shotgun and numerous rounds of ammunition. This extensive cache of illicit materials underscores the gang’s ability to operate on a significant scale, contributing to the increasing concerns about public safety due to the violent criminal activities connected to such gangs.
Blaze Collins, a 21-year-old, was apprehended while driving in Narellan shortly after the execution of the raids. Police charged him with multiple offenses such as participating in a criminal group and possessing a shortened firearm without authority. His arrest, captured in footage showing a coordinated police operation, highlights the aggressive tactics utilized by law enforcement to dismantle organized crime networks within Sydney.
The rise of G7 reflects the continuing struggles among organized crime groups in Sydney, with police determined to quell the violence through targeted operations. As investigations proceed, the ramifications of the gang’s activities shine a light on the complexities of the criminal landscape in the region, where turf wars and rivalries pose significant challenges for law enforcement. The ongoing efforts by police, particularly Taskforce Falcon, will play a crucial role in addressing these threats to public safety as they seek to unravel the full extent of G7’s criminal enterprises.