Melbourne's criminal underworld has been rocked by another execution-style killing, with 34-year-old Kevin Farrugia gunned down in broad daylight. The brazen attack has sent shockwaves through the city's law enforcement community, with detectives fearing a resurgence of the violent drug wars that plagued Melbourne in the early 2000s.
A Targeted Hit in Suburbia
Farrugia was ambushed outside a residential property in Melbourne's northern suburbs, struck multiple times by a hail of bullets. Witnesses reported hearing up to ten shots before seeing a dark-coloured vehicle speeding from the scene. Emergency services arrived within minutes, but Farrugia succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Mokbel Connection Sparks Investigation
Police sources confirm Farrugia had known links to Tony Mokbel's crime syndicate, though his exact role remains unclear. Mokbel, currently serving a 30-year sentence for drug trafficking, once controlled Melbourne's lucrative amphetamine market. Investigators are exploring whether this killing represents:
- A power struggle within Mokbel's fractured network
- Retaliation for unpaid drug debts
- A warning from rival organised crime groups
Gangland Violence Returns
This murder marks Melbourne's first high-profile gangland killing in nearly three years, ending what authorities had hoped was a period of relative calm. Detective Superintendent Andrew Stamper warned: "We're seeing disturbing echoes of Melbourne's bloody past. The community should be assured we're deploying every resource to prevent further violence."
Forensic teams continue to scour the crime scene as homicide detectives pursue multiple lines of inquiry. With Melbourne's drug trade now worth an estimated $3 billion annually, authorities fear this killing could spark a new wave of underworld bloodshed.
