Sydney’s underworld war spirals as gangs battle for billion-dollar drug, illegal tobacco trade

A top cop tasked with quelling Sydney’s underworld activity has issued a warning as crime gangs jostle for a slice of a lucrative market worth billions.

Twenty-four people have been killed in the harbour city’s gangland wars since 2020, with underworld activity reaching unprecedented levels of violence.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sydney’s deadly gang war spirals out of control

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

This week, an innocent relative of the Alameddine crime family and his teenage daughter narrowly escaped death when a gunman’s weapon jammed during an attempted shooting at after school pick-up.

Days earlier, close to 30 rounds were fired at a Punchbowl function centre thought to be hosting a wake for “Coconut Cartel” boss Lorenzo Lemalu, who was gunned down in Vietnam last month.

Three people, including two 17-year-old boys, have been charged over the incident.

“They’re not really knowing what they’re getting into,” Detective Superintendent Jason Box told 7NEWS.

“I’ve warned them on numerous occasions that there’s every likelihood they’re going to be targeted themselves.”

The veteran of more than 30 years on the force said he had never seen offenders acting so brazenly.

For years, the Alameddine crime network has held top spot in Sydney’s underworld.

Its biggest rival, the Coconut Cartel, has been significantly weakened following the death of leader Lemalu.

Whether they will be completely disbanded is yet to be seen.

Smaller gangs including G7, KVT (which translates to Fijian Warriors), the OC Jail Gang and Lone Wolves could be preparing to move in.

Established organised crime groups including outlaw motorcycle gangs, Asian crime gangs like The Final Crime Family, and even overseas-based alleged drug kingpins could also be angling for a slice of a drug and illegal tobacco market worth billions of dollars.

“Whether their existence is one person or a hundred, there are people out there wanting to commit serious acts. That won’t stop,” Box said.

Box is the commander of Taskforce Falcon, which was announced in May, 2025 and designed to crush organised crime.

Through the work of the 150-strong team, 500 arrests and 1500 charges have been laid.

The commander has issued stark warnings to people being recruited into gang violence.

“There hasn’t been too many good results for anybody. It’s a bad outcome for all,” Box said.