Sydney gangland war

During the Sydney gangland war, a number of criminal figures who were involved in the killings had been involved with one or more group. At the time of the Sydney gangland war, there were major criminal groups locked in battle for control of the Sydney Underworld and the drug trade.

The Freeman-McPherson Group[2]

Led by Lenny McPherson and George Freeman. Considered as the "old school" criminal group in the Sydney Underworld.[2] The McPherson-Freeman Group ran Sydney's illegal gambling and vice trade since the early 1960s. Fredrick "Paddles" Anderson, Stan "The Man" Smith and Melbourne hitman; Chris Flannery were reported to be part of this group.[2]

The Smith-Henry Group[2]

Led by Neddy Smith and his associate; Graham "Abo" Henry, this criminal group was mainly involved in armed robberies and drug trafficking.[2] The gang mainly operated in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the group included Warren "Frenchie" Lanfranchi, Harvey Jones and Danny "Brain" Chubb.[1][8] In 1976, Neddy Smith formed a business relationship with NSW Police Detective Roger Rogerson.[1]

The McCann-Domican Group[2]

Led by Barry McCann and his associate; Irish-born British standover man; Thomas "Tough Tommy" Domican, this group was mainly involved in drug trafficking and were considered as a major rival group.[8] Like Smith's gang, McCann's gang operated out of the Lansdowne Hotel in Chippendale.[8] During the 1980s, McCann's gang was involved in a feud with Smith's gang.[8] The group included Barry "Sugar" Croft, Terry Ball, George Savvas, Victor Camillieri and Kevin Theobald.[2] McCann was later shot dead at H.J. Mahoney Park in Marrickville on the night of 27 December 1987.

The Honoured Society[9]

A Calabrian 'Ndrangheta group that had been involved in the marijuana trade in the NSW's Riverina District during the 1970s.[10] The Honoured Society was reported of running a vast marijuana trade between Sydney and Melbourne.[10] Robert Trimbole, Gianfranco "Frank" Tizzoni, Antonio Sergi (born 1935), Antonio Sergi (born 1950), Domenic Sergi, Francesco Sergi and Francesco Barbaro were reported to be part of this group.[10] Even though the Honoured Society wasn't involved in the Sydney gangland war, some members were reportedly involved in the heroin trade.

• 27 June 1981 - 22-year-old drug dealer and standover man Warren "Frenchie" Lanfranchi was shot dead by NSW Detective Roger Rogerson on Dangar Place in Chippendale, Lanfranchi was a known associate of Neddy Smith and Abo Henry. At the time of his death, Lanfranchi was under investigation for pulling a gun on a police officer.[13] It was alleged that Neddy Smith drove Lanfranchi to a meeting where Lanfranchi was going pay Rogerson $10,000 to make the investigation disappear. When Lanfranchi arrived, Rogerson produced a firearm and shot Lanfranchi in the chest.[13] Lanfranchi's girlfriend and prostitute Sallie-Anne Huckstepp stated after shooting Lanfranchi, Rogerson took the $10,000 that Lanfranchi brought with him as he was laying on the ground, dying.[11][13]

• 21 December 1981 - 42-year-old former lawyer; Brian Alexander disappears after leaving the King's Head Tavern in South Hurstville, Alexander was a known associate of Robert Trimbole and his associate; Sydney based New Zealand drug importer and member of the Mr. Asia Syndicate; Terry Clark and had ties to a number of corrupt detectives. On the 25 March 1981, Alexander was charged along with two former federal narcotics agents for leaking confidential information to Clark.[14] At the time of his disappearance, Alexander was subpoenaed to testified at Steward Royal Commission about his dealings with Clark and information he received from corrupt detectives that was passed onto Clark.[14] According Neddy Smith, Alexander was picked up by two detectives that Smith knew and was brought onboard Smith's boat where they took Alexander out into the Bay and was thrown overboard.[14]

• 13 August 1982 - Drug dealer and former Painter and Docker; Terence Basham and his partner; Susan Smith were shot dead at their farmhouse in Murwillumbah, Basham had been part of a drug ring with drug importers Bruce "Snapper" Cornwell and Barry Bull.[15] According to Bull and Cornwell's associate and mastermind behind the drug ring; George Tsingolis, Basham had fallen out with Bull and Cornwell over profits from the drug ring, resulting in Basham assaulting Bull.[15] In retaliation, Cornwell and Bull paid Chris Flannery $50,000 to murder Basham.[15] Flannery had shot Basham, wounding him, Flannery then shot Susan Smith in the head, killing her instantly.[15] Flannery then turned back to Basham and shot him in the head, killing him.[15] Flannery left the scene, leaving Basham and Smith's two-year-old daughter alive and alone with Basham and Smith's bodies.[15]
• 10 November 1982 - Former Painter and Docker; Leslie "Johnny" Cole was shot dead in the garage of his home at Kyle Bay, at the time of his murder, Cole was working for Fredrick "Paddles" Anderson.[2] Cole had previously survived an attempt on his life when he shot in the leg a week before his murder, Cole's son; Mark Moran became a major criminal figure in the Melbourne Underworld and was shot dead during the Melbourne Gangland War on 15 June 2000. It is suspected that Cole's murder was a result of an unpaid debt.

• January 1983 - 42-year-old drug dealer; Lewton Shu was shot dead at Royal National Park near Waterfall.[9] At the time of his murder, Shu was on bail for drug trafficking along with his associate; James Murray and Murray's girlfriend; Jennifer Anne Lewis.[9] Murray and Lewis was charged with Shu's murder, while on remand in prison, Lewis was found dead in her cell after hanging herself with a cord from her dressing gown on 25 February 1983.[9] In 2001, Neddy Smith was charged with Shu's murder but at the request of Shu's family, the charges against Smith were dropped.[9]

• 15 July 1983 - 29-year-old used car salesman and brothel owner; Harvey Jones disappeared from his home.[1] At the time of his disappearance, Harvey Jones was on bail for theft of gold bullion.[1] According to Neddy Smith's autobiography; To Catch and Kill your Own, Jones had made an arrangement to pay Rogerson $60,000 to have the gold theft charges dismissed. On 14 July 1983, Jones was involved in a incident where he fired his gun in front of witnesses into the ceiling of Shelia's Tavern in North Sydney, prompting another investigation into Harvey Jones.[1] Jones' skeletal remains were found buried at Botany Bay Beach on 26 March 1995, while imprisoned for tow truck driver Ron Flavell's murder, Neddy Smith confessed to a cellmate, that on the night of disappearance, Jones met Neddy Smith at the Iron Duke Hotel in Alexandria and left with Smith and an associate and drove to Botany Bay Beach where Neddy Smith shot Jones with a .38 revolver and buried him.[1] When asked by the cellmate for details, Neddy Smith stated that Jones was "out of control" and been drawing unwanted attention. On 15 September 1998, Neddy Smith was convicted of Jones's murder.[1]

• 20 January 1984 - 57-year-old trucking company owner; Edward "Bill" Cavanagh and his partner; 21-year-old Carmelita Lee were shot dead in the bedroom of their house in Hoxton Park.[9] Cavanagh was reported to be an associate of Robert Trimbole and other members of the Honoured Society and was alleged to be using his business as a front for the marijuana trade between Sydney and Melbourne.[9] It was alleged that Cavanagh's murders was retribution for an assault, prior to his murder, Cavanagh had allegedly assaulted an associate of hitman; Lindsey Rose.[16] Carmelita Lee's murder had only occurred to eliminate a possible witness, Rose was convicted of the Cavanagh and Lee murders on 3 September 1998 along with a further three murders that Rose committed in the years following the Cavanagh and Lee murders including message parlour owner; Kerrie Pang and Pang's employee; Fatma Ozonal at Pang's message parlour; "Kerrie's Oasis" in Gladesville on 14 February 1994.[16] Pang's partner was an associate of Rose named Mark Lewis who was also allegedly assaulted by Cavanagh some years prior to his murder.[9][16]
• 2 April 1984 - 38-year-old racehorse trainer; George Brown was bashed to death and set alight in his car at the top of Bulli Pass near Bulli.[17] On the night of his murder, Brown left his work at the sables in his green 1973 Ford Falcon XA sedan at Rosebery for his family home in Kensington.[17] Police believe Brown's was murdered by members of a horse racing "ring-in" scam.[17] Prior to his murder, one of Brown's horses had came second last at race meet in Brisbane on 31 March 1984.[17] It is alleged that Brown's murder was linked to the Fine Cotton ring in.[17]
• 6 June 1984 - 31-year-old NSW Drug Squad detective; Michael "Mick" Drury was shot twice through the kitchen window of his family home at Chatswood.[18] It was alleged that the shooter was hitman Chris Flannery hired by Flannery's associate; Melbourne drug dealer and former Painter and Docker; Alan Williams.[18] On 4 March 1982, Drury was in Melbourne as part of a joint New South Wales-Victoria Police operation into a Sydney drug syndicate run by Sydney syndicate boss; Jack Richardson and local Sydney distributor; Brian Hansen.[18] Alan Williams was identified by Detective Sergeant Drury as a supplier to Richardson and Hansen, the arrest of Williams went wrong when one of the arrest team's unmarked patrol car went to block in Williams' car and had overshot Williams' car, allowing Alan Williams escape.[19][20] After a short car chase that ended on the grounds of the Melbourne University, Williams took off on foot through the grounds and disappeared into the night.[20] He was later arrested by detectives in Adelaide four months later in July 1982.[18][19] It's alleged that an associate of Williams and Flannery; NSW Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson tried to pay Drury $30,000 to have the charges against Williams dismissed, but Drury refused to accept the money.[18] Despite losing 20 litres of his blood from his wounds, Drury managed to survive his injuries.[19] In 1989, Williams and Rogerson were charged for attempting to bribe Drury and conspiracy to kill Drury.[18] Williams convicted of drug trafficking and the attempted murder of Drury and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment while Rogerson was acquitted.[18] Williams' co-accused, Richardson was also charged with heroin trafficking, on 4 March 1984, the day before appearing at Williams' preliminary hearing, Richardson had disappeared after speaking to two men at a ice parlour on Fitzroy Street in St. Kilda.[21] His body was later discovered with two gunshot wounds to the back of the head at Yea.[21]
• 8 November 1984 - 43-year-old drug dealer; Danny "The Brain" Chubb was shot dead outside his mother's home in Millers Point.[21] Chubb was an associate of Neddy Smith and been known to be involved in several heroin and marijuana importation rings and been seen at various times, showing large amounts of cash in public.[21] On the day of his murder, Chubb left the home of a friend in his green Jaguar XJ6 and drove to the Captain Cook Hotel at Millers Point where he met with Neddy Smith and Abo Henry.[21] After the meeting with Smith and Henry, Chubb went to the local fish and chip shop next to the hotel where he bought a package of fish and chips for his mother's lunch. After telling the owners of the fish and chip shop that he would return to pay for the fish and chips, Chubb drove to his mother's home about 300 metres from the hotel.[21] As Chubb got out of his car and walked towards his mother's house, two gunmen appeared with a shotgun and a pistol and shot Chubb.[21] It is suspected that Chubb's murderers were hired by Chubb's former partners.[21]

• 3 January 1985 - 72-year-old Chinese restaurant and racehorse owner; Stanley Wong, his wife; 69-year-old Yung Po Chin Wong and their housekeeper; Ah Ling Wong were slashed in their throats at their home in Maroubra. Wong was an known associate of George Freeman and was known as a prominent businessman in Sydney's Chinatown District.[20] Wong's wife and their house keeper survived their injuries, due to life saving surgery by Dr. Victor Chang.[20] Prior to his murder, Wong was alleged to be involved in the illegal trade of morphine.[20] On 10 January 1985, illegal Chinese immigrant; Wee Lam Choo charged with Wong's murder.[20] In his confession, Choo stated that Wong had threaten to turn Choo over to the authorities if he didn't sell any "white powder" (illegal morphine) for Wong.[20] Choo was convicted of Wong's murder on 28 February 1986 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.[20] Choo's 18-year-old accomplice was convicted of assault with intentions to commit a robbery and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.[20]
• 27 January 1985 - Chris Flannery and his wife and children were shot at by gunmen outside their home in Turrella.[20] At the time, Flannery was working as a bodyguard for George Freeman and became involved in a feud with Barry McCann and his associate; Thomas "Tough Tommy" Domican over the control of George Freeman's territory.[20][21] It was suspected that the gunmen were sent by Domican in retaliation after Flannery had allegedly assaulted McCann's wife.[20] Domican was convicted of Flannery's attempted murder in 1988 and was sentenced 14 years imprisonment.
• 16 February 1985 - 41-year-old Melbourne Racing Identity; Michael "Melbourne Mick" Sayers was shot dead after getting of his maroon Mercedes-Benz coupe in the driveway of his home in Bronte.[20] It is suspected that Sayers' killers were sent by Barry McCann, it was alleged that a week before his murder, Sayers had stolen $400,000 worth of heroin from McCann.[20] After killing Sayers, the gunmen fled the scene in a Holden Panel Van.[20] Tommy Domican and his associates; Victor "Vic" Camillieri and Kevin Theobald were charged with Sayers' murder in 1988 but were acquitted.[20]
• 3 April 1985 - Tommy Domican's associates; Vic Camillieri and Kevin Theobald were shot at as they were sitting in Theobald's Ford Falcon at Kingsgrove.[20] At the time of the shooting, Theobald and Camillieri were driving around Kingsgrove looking for Tommy Domican when their car was shot at.[20] Camilleri received wounds to his neck and shoulder and spent ten days in hospital before making a full recover, while Theobald managed to escape without any injuries.[20] It was suspected that the shootings were committed by Chris Flannery in a act of retaliation for Sayers' murder.[20]
• 12 April 1985 - Tommy Domican was shot at outside the Kingsgrove Police Station.[20] Prior the shooting, Domican was being interviewed by Detective Sergeant Aarne Tees about the shooting of Camillieri and Theobald nine days earlier.[20] After the interview with Detective Sergeant Tees, Domican left the police station and went to look for a taxi when a gunman on a motorcycle appeared and shot at Domican.[20] Despite a number of shots fired, Domican managed to escaped unscathed.[20] It was suspected that Chris Flannery committed the shooting as a follow-up to the Theobald and Camillieri shooting in retaliation for Sayers' murder.[20] It was suspected that Detective Sergeant Tees had gave the signal to the gunman that n Domican was coming out of the police station, allowing the gunman to attack.[20]
• 23 April 1985 - 42-year-old drug dealer; Anthony "Spaghetti" Eustace was shot six times allegedly by Chris Flannery in the back outside the Airport Hilton at North Arncliffe.[18] [20] Originally from Liverpool, Eustace had immigrated to Australia from the United Kingdom in the mid 1970s where had been reported to be an associate of Terry Clark and other members of the Mr. Asia Drug Syndicate.[22] While an associate of the Mr. Asia Syndicate, Eustace had been suspected of the murders of 25-year-old model and drug courier; Maria Hisshion on 24 December 1975 and 29-year-old drug courier; Catherine Dale Payne on 10 May 1978.[22] Prior to his death, Eustace became an associate of Flannery and had been reported to be a heroin supplier to Neddy Smith.[18] When Eustace was found lying beside his Mercedes-Benz, he was rushed to hospital where he told the detectives to "fuck off" when they asked him who shot him before dying of his wounds five hours after being shot.[21]
• 9 May 1985 - Chris Flannery disappears after leaving the family's apartment near the Sydney's CBD area.[21] Prior to his disappearance, Flannery and his family had moved into a rented apartment in the Connaught Building opposite Hyde Park, down the road from the NSW Police CIB Building following the attempt on his and his family's life.[21] According to Neddy Smith, after the failed attempt on Domican and the murder of Tony Eustace, Flannery was seen by the Sydney Underworld as a "madman".[21] Neddy Smith had then stated that he along with Rogerson and other detectives had attempted to get Flannery to refrain from committing more retribution shootings in which he told one of the attending detectives; "You're not a protective species, you know - you're not a fucking koala bear".[21] On the day before his disappearance, Flannery received a message from his pager telling him to "Ring Mercedes" - code to contact George Freeman.[21] Flannery then contacted Freeman and was told to come to Freeman's home to inspect a machine gun with silencer that Freeman had brought for Flannery.[21] On the day of his disappearance, Flannery left the apartment armed with a .38 revolver.[21] After being unable to start his car, Flannery went back to contact Freeman that he was going to take a taxi to the meeting with Freeman.[21] After the call, Flannery left the apartment and walked onto Liverpool Street where he disappeared.[21] According to Neddy Smith, it was believed that Flannery was picked up by car driven by detectives and was taken to the meeting at Freeman's home where he was shot dead with the machine gun by either Freeman's associates; Lenny McPherson or hitman; Stan "The Man" Smith and later dumped into the sea.[21]

• 6 February 1986 - 31-year-old prostitute and heroin addict; Sallie-Anne Huckstepp was drown in Busby Pond at Centennial Park.[23] Huckstepp was the former girlfriend of Warren Lanfranchi who was shot dead by Rogerson in June 1981.[23] A month after Lanfranchi's death, Huckstepp and father went to the NSW Police Internal Affairs Bureau and told detectives that after killing Lanfranchi, Rogerson had stolen the $10,000 in cash off Lanfranchi's body and named several detectives to being involved in Lanfranchi's death.[23] Huckstepp then appeared on 60 Minutes and told Ray Martin about what happened to Lanfranchi on the day of his death.[23] Prior to her death, Huckstepp started to write articles for a magazine company and begun to have an affair with an Australian Federal Police constable named Peter Smith.[23] It was believed that on the night of her murder, Huckstepp was lured to Centennial Park to meet a drug dealer where Neddy Smith was waiting in the reeds near the pond.[23] As Huckstepp was talking to the dealer, Neddy Smith jumped from the reeds and knocked Huckstepp to the ground and tried to strangle her but was unsuccessful. Neddy Smith then dragged Huckstepp to the pond and held her underwater until she stopped struggling and died. Neddy Smith was charged with Huckstepp's murder in 1999 but was acquitted due to a lack of evidence.[23]
• 6 April 1986 - Neddy Smith was hit by a car as he was leaving the Iron Duke Hotel.[22] Prior to being ran over, Neddy Smith had been named as police informer, despite being hit twice, Neddy Smith managed to escape with minor injuries.[22] It was believed that the driver of the car was 41-year-old ex-boxer Terry Ball who was a known associate of Barry McCann, Ball was charged with Smith's attempted murder and released on bail on 30 April 1986.[22] It is alleged that Ball's attempt on Neddy Smith was committed in retribution for Neddy Smith's associate; Abo Henry shooting Ball in the head three years earlier.[8]
• 1 September 1986 - 36-year-old former male model and drug dealer; Mark Johnston had disappeared after leaving the Bellevue Hotel in Paddington.[12] Known as the "Playboy Punter", Johnston had previously served a prison sentence in the United Kingdom for importing marijuana.[12] His rented Holden Commodore sedan was found in Maroubra on 9 September 1986 with 500 grams of heroin in the vehicle's boot.[12] Johnston's skeletal remains was found at Botany Beach in October 2007, while imprisoned, Neddy Smith had confessed to the murder of Mark Johnston.[12][9] In his confession, on the night of Johnston's disappearance, Johnston drove his rented Commodore to the home of Neddy Smith's lawyer; Graham "Val" Bellamy in Dover Heights where Johnston was to collect $60,000 that Bellamy was holding.[12] When Johnston arrived, Neddy Smith stated that grabbed Johnston and the request of Bellamy, strangled Johnston to death with a garotte before taking his body to Botany Beach.[9]

• 6 August 1987 - 49-year-old drug dealer; Barry "Sugar" Croft was shot dead as he was sitting in his Ford Fairlane at the intersection of City Road and Myrtle Street in Annandale.[9] Croft was an associate of Barry McCann and was reported to be a major heroin supplier to George Freeman.[9] Prior to his murder, Croft had became involved in a heroin importation ring with McCann.[24] On the night of his murder, Croft left the Cauliflower Hotel in Waterloo to meet with McCann at the Lansdowne Hotel.[24] As Croft's vehicle came to a stop at the intersection, two gunmen on a motorcycle pulled in front of Croft's Fairlane and fire two shots through the windshield, killing Croft.[24] It is alleged that the gunmen killed Croft to remove him from the heroin importation ring so they could deal with McCann directly.[24]
• 27 December 1987 - 44-year-old heroin supplier; Barry McCann was shot dead at H.J. Mahoney Park in Marrickville.[9] McCann ran the Lansdowne Hotel where his gang operated from and had attempted to move in on the Sydney illegal gambling trade run by Lenny McPherson.[9] At the time of his murder, McCann was reported to being involved in a heroin importation ring with former Marrickville councillor; George Savvas.[9] Prior to his death, McCann and Savvas had a fallen out after Savvas had undercut McCann's normal heroin distribution price by selling the heroin in Sydney, not Melbourne as was agreed by McCann and Savvas in which two suitcases of heroin had gone missing.[9] Savvas was charged with McCann's murder in 1988 and was acquitted, but was convicted of heroin trafficking and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.[9] On 7 March 1994, Savvas was sentenced to a further 18 years imprisonment for masterminding a conspiracy to import 40kg of heroin from South America.[9]
  

• 12 April 1988 - 37-year-old armed robber and drug dealer; Bruce Sandery had disappeared after leaving the Zetland Hotel in Zetland.[9] Prior to his murder, Sandery ran a major heroin distribution ring in South Australia and had been named in the suspected murders of his associates; Roy Naylor and his wife; Sonya who disappeared from a motel in Glenelg on 29 June 1984.[25] At the time of his murder, Sandery had arrived in Sydney from South Australia and was importing heroin into South Australia from New South Wales.[9] Sandery's body was found buried at Botany Bay Beach in October 1988, Neddy Smith was charged of Sandery's murder in 1996 but was acquitted.[9]