The situation has intensified, prompting the NSW Police to establish Strike Force Halesowen. Detectives suspect that all three recent incidents are connected to Iziah Utai, the son of a former Bulldogs player.
“We believe all three offenses are targeting a specific family,” stated Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy.
Matt Utai, who was shot several times while leaving for work yesterday morning, is still hospitalized.
Another video has surfaced, reportedly showing the aftermath of a firebombing at the home of Iziah’s mother.
“We believe Iziah is linked to criminal groups, and this connection is likely the cause of the recent wave of offenses,” Abdy explained.
“We are deploying as many resources as possible to prevent further violence and manage the ongoing conflict,” he added.
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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