Second Gun Attack Strikes Family of Shot NRL Star Matt Utai in Sydney Gang Conflict
Dramatic footage has emerged of a second gun attack targeting the family of former NRL star Matt Utai, occurring just 24 hours after he was shot outside his home in Greenacre, Western Sydney. The latest incident involved gunmen, allegedly associated with the Alameddine crime network, launching an assault on the homes of Utai's son's in-laws and mother, with both properties being shot up and firebombed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Details of the Coordinated Attacks
In the first attack, around 12.45am on Wednesday, gunmen unleashed 14 rounds from an automatic weapon into the walls and windows of a home in St Clair. This property is believed to belong to the in-laws of Utai's son, Iziah, aged 24, who has been linked to the Coconut Cartel gang. The Coconut Cartel is currently engaged in a violent war with the Alameddines for control of Sydney's drug trade. Video footage, apparently shot by the gunmen themselves while dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, captures one assailant screaming at the home: 'F*** you and the Cartel.'
In a second video, the assailants conducted an arson attack on a suspected home in Guildford West, believed to belong to Iziah Utai's mother. The thugs filmed the burning property as they drove by, with a man in the video adding: 'Zat ziggy Utai ... f*** him and the Coconut Cartel - this is the start of the destruction brother.' The suspected getaway car was later found burnt out in nearby Freeman Street in Colyton.
Gang Messages and Escalating Tensions
Messages sent from 'The One and Only Crime [Alameddines] Family, Forever Strong' about the two attacks taunt the new crime group, calling it a 'brainless banana cartel' and a 'joke of a cartel.' The gang warns: 'This is just the start of a losing battle for u and anyone that dares to come against us.' These attacks follow the shooting of ex-Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs winger Matt Utai, 44, who was shot twice on Macquarie Street in Greenacre just before 6am on Tuesday. NSW Police allege an SUV drove past the home before up to five shots were fired from the vehicle. Paramedics treated Utai for injuries to his shoulder and leg, and he remains in a serious condition at St George Hospital, currently undergoing surgery.
Background of the Gang War and Iziah Utai's Criminal History
The Coconut Cartel, once hired by the Alameddines, has now broken away and is plotting to take over the Alameddines' kingpin role in Sydney's drug trade. This breakaway gang is believed to consist of members from Sydney's Islander and Fijian communities. Underworld sources indicate that bikie gangs, including the Comanchero, have abandoned the Alameddines, paving the way for the deadly coup by the Coconut Cartel. In response, the Coconut Cartel has taunted the Alameddines over the bungled attack on Utai, with a message stating: 'You are getting desperate, you feel the pressure caving in. Took you guys a month to aim at someone innocent who has nothing to do with Coconut Cartel #Feeltheheat.'
Police are investigating the connection between Iziah Utai and both gangs. Iziah has a significant criminal history, including convictions for armed robbery, drug possession, and firearms offences. He was sentenced to 18 months' jail with a non-parole period of nine months in 2023, making him eligible for parole in October 2023. The latest drive-by shootings occur eight months after Iziah's Merrylands barber shop was firebombed twice by a teenager known to be an associate of the Alameddines.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
An investigation into the circumstances of these latest incidents is currently underway. Authorities are urging anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage to contact Crime Stoppers. The escalating violence highlights the intense gang conflict in Sydney, with innocent family members caught in the crossfire as rival groups vie for dominance in the city's underworld.
