A group claiming to be the 'Albanian Mafia' has claimed responsibility for a brazen gangland killing in Sydney, Australia, where the victim was tracked using a drone and a GPS device before being shot dead outside his home.
Victim identified as Jack Cheung
The victim has been named as 35-year-old Jack Cheung, who lived with his mother and had just returned from a holiday in Thailand. His body was discovered in a car parked outside his home in Carlingford at around 5:30 am on 16 July by plumbers working in the area.
Drone footage posted online
Hours before the body was found, drone footage of the killing was posted online with the caption: 'Hello, this is the Albanian mafia; we have footage of Mr. Cheung's execution by gangs today in Carlingford.' Police are warning that posting murder footage is a growing trend among gangs, though it can aid investigations.
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon said: 'The footage that is being put online assist us with our investigations as well,' but added that 'posting it online can encourage other people to take that sort of activity.'
GPS tracking and 'new era' of crime
According to ABC News, a covert GPS device was used to track Cheung before his death, which police described as 'concerning' and indicative of a 'new era of organised crime.' The motive for the killing remains unclear, though Cheung had appeared in court a month earlier on charges of owning an unlicensed firearm.
Police search for suspects
Police are searching for the alleged killer and the vehicle used in the attack. Acting Superintendent Michael Marinello described the shooting as 'a very brazen attack' and said: 'We do not believe that this is a random attack. We believe this is an isolated incident and so we can reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat.' Several people present at the property are assisting police with inquiries.
