The escalation has caused NSW Police to set up Strike Force Halesowen, and detectives believe all three incidents are linked to the former Bulldogs player’s son Iziah Utai.
“We believe all three offences are targeting one particular family,” Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said.
Matt Utai remains in hospital after being shot multiple times as he was leaving for work yesterday morning.
A second video appears to show the home of Iziah’s mother after it was firebombed.
“We believe [Iziah] is associated with the criminal entities and that is the reason for the current spate of offences,” Abdy said.
“We are throwing as many resources as we can to deter the violent conflict or to deter any further acts of violence that may be occurring.”
Police sources say Iziah used to associate with the Alameddine crime family, but in the last few months he allegedly betrayed them.
Investigators believe his former gang is retaliating after a string of attacks aimed at them.
“The exact location is unknown to us,” Abdy said.
More than 100 officers are involved in the investigations of the three incidents this week.
“We believe the Coconut Cartel, a name they’ve given themselves, is a violent criminal organisation that is involved in crime for hire essentially,” Abdy said.
“They are committing offences across Sydney.
“Criminals throughout history have been known to retaliate against other rival gangs, it’s not a new occurrence.”
Abdy described the spate of shootings as “ridiculously disgusting offences” that are putting the lives of “ordinarily innocent people” at risk.
“They are now being targeted by violent criminal syndicates, and they have no association with the criminality of the people in their particular families or their particular associates.”
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