Homicide squad detectives took the men from Kew, Mickleham, Pascoe Vale, and Fawkner into custody shortly after 6am.

Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said that while this is a “turning point” in the investigation, it is “only the beginning”.

“Our investigation suggests these individuals were likely the operatives who executed the murder, but we suspect there are individuals higher in the hierarchy responsible for commissioning this crime,” he stated.

Issa, 27, was shot dead in broad daylight in the car park of Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre on October 7, 2023.

Issa was pulled from his vehicle and witnesses attempted CPR before emergency services arrived.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Exposing the general public to such danger is entirely intolerable. This indicates a profound indifference towards human life and could have resulted in even more fatalities,” Thomas expressed.

Investigators believe there are still people with knowledge of the motive and who was involved, including those who may have ordered the hit.