An in-depth examination of the investigation and aftermath surrounding the murder of Alen Moradian
Numerous concerns regarding organised crime, law enforcement, and the use of technology in criminal activity have been brought up by the death of infamous underworld figure Alen Moradian. In June 2022, Moradian, a prominent member of the Comancheros bikie gang, was shot dead in broad daylight. The case sheds light on the murky world of Australian organised crime and includes numerous arrests, secret surveillance, and ongoing investigations.
This blog will discuss the specifics of Moradian’s murder, the NSW Police investigation, the major arrests, the function of tracking technology, and the impending legal issues.
The Event – The Startling Murder of Alen Moradian
Alen Moradian, 48, was shot and killed on June 27, 2022, in a Bondi Junction parking lot in Sydney, a well-known and bustling shopping district. CCTV footage from the scene shows a man with a gun in his hand getting out of a Porsche SUV while wearing a black hoodie. The man is seen in the video lowering his hoodie for a brief moment before shooting Moradian, who was sitting in his car at the time.
The shooter then hastily gets back into the Porsche and drives off. A red Holden Cruze, which was later discovered burned out in Zetland, was substituted for the Porsche by the two men involved in the murder, according to later footage.
Police found a burned Porsche close to Bondi Junction after the shooting. The details of Moradian’s death raised concerns about the high level of organised crime involvement, so the investigation got underway right away.
The Untouchable Crime: Moradian’s Underworld Role
One prominent figure in Australia’s organised crime scene was Lord Alan Moradian. He was a senior member of the Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) and had close ties to The Commission, a powerful organisation of drug lords that dominated a large portion of the drug trade in Australia.
Moradian’s influence went well beyond ordinary crimes committed on the street. He was involved in the distribution of illegal drugs, market control, and importation. Those who knew Moradian in the criminal underworld said he had a great deal of power and could set up assassinations for anyone who opposed him. According to sources, he was responsible for at least six high-profile killings and was regarded as practically untouchable.
He engaged in a wide range of illegal activities, including money laundering, drug trafficking, and even the sale of weapons. When police warned him in August 2022 that he was in danger of dying, his criminal empire started to fall apart.
Technology’s Part in the Murder – Following Moradian
The events leading up to Moradian’s death were significantly influenced by the use of tracking technology. Police claim that a 22-year-old Canley Vale man, who was later taken into custody by Task Force Magnus, planned and enabled the murder.
According to police, the 22-year-old man gave the hitmen phones and trackers to track Moradian’s whereabouts, enabling them to follow him around before killing him. The young man’s contribution was crucial to finding Moradian and making the hit possible.
The 22-year-old was charged with murder and failure to turn over digital evidence, indicating his substantial involvement in the crime, even though he was not the shooter.
Arrests and Court Cases – The Continued Examination
Seven men are still pending charges in relation to Moradian’s murder. Two other men, ages 27 and 28, were also taken into custody in October for their roles in locating the cars used in the crime, in addition to the 22-year-old. These men were accused of participating in a criminal organisation, murder, and offences involving firearms.
Task Force Magnus, which was formed by NSW Police to investigate organised crime killings, is still conducting its investigation. Several people were involved in the operation, and the investigation will continue until all those involved in the crime are identified and charged, said Acting Superintendent Virginia Gorman.
During their investigation, the police have also seized a sizable quantity of illegal weapons and drugs. During raids, a pistol with 23 rounds of ammunition, 844 grammes of methamphetamine, and 1.5 kg of cocaine were found.
CCTV footage – proof of the crime
Police made CCTV footage of the Porsche pulling into the Bondi Junction parking lot public in December 2022. One of the gunmen can be seen in the video exiting the car and shooting Moradian. The shooter then gets back in the Porsche, and it takes off.
Subsequent video captures the two suspects trading in the Porsche for a red Holden Cruze that is parked close by on James Street. It appears that the criminals took steps to hide their tracks because the Porsche was discovered burned out and the Holden Cruze was later found in Zetland, also burned out.
Should the Police Have Stepped in?
The case brings up important issues regarding police involvement in organised crime investigations. It’s unclear if the police had a chance to alert Moradian to the purported plot to kill him while they were keeping an eye on the suspects using surveillance equipment.
The question of whether police should stop a crime from happening or let it happen in order to obtain evidence against bigger criminal networks has been brought up by former senior law enforcement officials like Mick Kennedy and Greg Barns SC.
Former NSW Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy KC feels that even when the victim is a criminal, law enforcement should step in to stop murders from happening. He emphasised that because it compromises public safety, “even the nastiest of gangsters” shouldn’t be permitted to be killed on the streets.
The Repercussions – Ongoing Bloodshed in the Underworld
Sydney’s streets are still not at peace after Alen Moradian was killed. It has, if anything, triggered a new round of underworld violence. Gun violence broke out in the weeks after his passing, including an assault on a barbershop that left two men hurt.
Two more murders ensued after a narrow escape from another plot to kill a gangster outside a police station. A 20-year-old innocent boy was one of the victims, killed on his mother’s front lawn. The “Angel of Death” hitman Tarek Ayoub was the other victim; he was shot dead in a Parramatta parking lot.
Demand More Explicit Rules Regarding Police Intervention and Organised Crime
There have been calls for more precise guidelines on when and how police should get involved in organised crime operations as a result of the wave of violence that followed Moradian’s murder. Whealy contends that police must adhere to a clearer protocol, particularly in situations where a life is in danger. Law enforcement must protect the public and those targeted by criminal organisations, he said, adding that “even the nastiest of gangsters” shouldn’t be allowed to perish on the streets.
In conclusion, the continuous battle against organised crime
A startling truth about the scope and power of organised crime in Australia has been revealed by the murder of Alen Moradian. Important concerns regarding the police’s role in stopping gangland killings are brought up by the investigation’s complexity, the use of tracking technology, and the difficulties law enforcement has in stepping in.
It is evident that Australia’s battle against organised crime is far from over as the investigation goes on and more people are taken into custody. The upcoming court cases and the ongoing underworld violence underscore the necessity of more robust procedures, more precise guidelines for interventions, and sustained endeavours to dismantle domestic criminal networks.