NSW Police Link Bankstown Kidnapping and Killing to Organised Crime Network
NSW Police believe a violent kidnapping and murder in Sydney’s south-west last week is linked to a Victorian-based organised crime syndicate involved in large-scale drug operations.
A 45-year-old woman was forcibly taken from her Bankstown home on Thursday night by five armed men. Roughly an hour later, what is believed to be her body was found in a burnt-out car in Beverly Hills. An eight-year-old boy known to the woman was also allegedly attacked during the abduction.
Organised Crime Ties Under Investigation
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said the woman’s male partner is being investigated for alleged involvement with the crime group, which police believe played a role in motivating the attack.
“It appears the male was in some sort of conflict with members of that particular organised crime group,” Supt Doueihi said.
Police allege the man had worked with and travelled for the syndicate over a long period. The network, based in Victoria, is suspected of operating drug manufacturing operations and is largely made up of Vietnamese men. However, police say there’s no evidence connecting its leadership to South-East Asian crime groups.
Over the weekend, Victoria Police raided a rural property in Springdallah, near Ballarat, uncovering evidence of a drug lab. No arrests have yet been made.
Violence Against Innocents ‘Unprecedented’
Police confirmed the murdered woman had no criminal record and was not known to authorities. Her death — alongside the alleged assault of her eight-year-old relative — represents a disturbing escalation in gang violence.
“The level of violence against innocent family members is rare and unprecedented,” Supt Doueihi said.
“It shows a clear disregard for human life.”
Police say this violent targeting of non-criminal family members breaks the so-called “code of conduct” usually observed in organised crime.
“It’s something we will not tolerate. We’ll throw every resource available at solving this crime,” Supt Doueihi vowed.
Children Hospitalised and Under Police Guard
Two boys known to the woman remain in hospital. The eight-year-old remains in an induced coma after allegedly being struck in the head with a baseball bat. Medical staff hope to begin bringing him out of the coma soon, though long-term complications are possible.
A 15-year-old boy was not physically injured but is receiving trauma support.
The woman’s post-mortem is scheduled for Wednesday. NSW Police are attempting to reach her family in Vietnam, though so far no relatives in Australia or overseas have been successfully contacted.
Police are urging anyone with information about the people involved — particularly those in NSW or Victoria with knowledge of the crime group — to come forward.
