Police have arrested a high-profile Sydney real estate agent after investigating a criminal syndicate accused of kidnapping conspiracies and drug trafficking.
LJ Hooker Dulwich Hill director Yianni Karakikes, 31, was arrested on Thursday in a series of dramatic police raids in Sydney and Queensland.
Detectives from Strike Force Orsino are investigating the shooting of two men at a hair salon in July last year in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese grew up and has a home.
Strike Force detectives say they have identified a criminal syndicate linked to the Comanchero motorcycle gang and involved in commercial drug trafficking and kidnapping plots.
Karakikes was arrested at his home in Dulwich Hill and later charged with participating in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, participating in a criminal group and organising, directing or assisting a drug house.
He is not accused of any involvement in the shootings related to the investigation.
Karrikes was refused bail at Downing Center Local Court on Friday.
Detectives are also investigating possible links to the Marrickville shooting and the alleged murder of motorcyclist Marvin Oraiha in Elizabeth Hills in May 2023.
LJ Hooker Dulwich Hill director Yianni Karakikes, 31, was arrested on Thursday in a series of dramatic police raids in Sydney and Queensland
Strike force investigators executed 12 search warrants in Sydney and Queensland on Thursday
Strike force detectives executed 12 search warrants in Mascot, Sans Souci, Hurstville, Dulwich Hill, Rosebery, Peakhurst, Carlton, Lakemba, Sydney and Broadbeach Waters in Queensland from 6am on Thursday.
During the raids, police found and seized $550,000 worth of luxury watches and jewelry, eight vehicles and a motorcycle with a combined value of $500,000.
Detectives also seized more than $25,000 in cash, $12,000 in prohibited drugs, multiple electronics and bicycle paraphernalia.
Alleged Comanchero associate George Lergou, 47, and alleged former Comanchero member Alan Marshall, 39, were also arrested.
Lergou was arrested at Burwood Police Station and charged with multiple offenses including two counts of shooting with intent to murder, conspiracy to arrest or detain a person with intent to gain advantage, and two counts of supplying of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
The 47-year-old was charged with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear or bodily harm, and common assault (DV).
He was refused bail at Burwood Local Court on Friday.
Police will allege Lergou was not the shooter but part of the joint criminal enterprise involved in the planning and execution of the Marrickville shooting.
Police also found and seized $25,000 in cash, $12,000 in prohibited drugs, multiple electronics and bicycle paraphernalia (pictured)
Police found and seized $550,000 worth of luxury watches and jewelry, eight vehicles (one pictured) and a motorcycle with a combined value of $500,000
After the raids on Thursday morning, a car and a motorcycle were towed away
Marshall was charged with possession of a controlled drug, possessing or attempting to possess a prescribed controlled substance, failing to comply with an order for access to digital evidence, and two counts of participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail at Sutherland Local Court on Friday.
Alleged Comanchero Tiago Costa, 45, was charged with conspiracy to arrest or detain a person with intent to obtain advantage, two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, failure to comply with a order for access to digital evidence and participation in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.
Neither man was charged in connection with the shooting.
A 28-year-old man was arrested in Lakemba and charged with two counts of dishonestly interfering with or copying a unique identification and failing to comply with an access to digital evidence order.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on December 17.
A 42-year-old man was arrested at Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast and is expected to be extradited to Tweed Heads on Friday, where he is charged with participating in a criminal group.
The investigation led by Strike Force Orsino and Strike Force Hackenburg continues.