Pure real estate agent arrested in massive police operation over double murder on Albo’s doorstep – as suspected motorcyclists targeted over drug trafficking and kidnapping allegations

Police have arrested a high-profile Sydney real estate agent following investigations into a criminal syndicate accused of kidnapping plots and drug trafficking.

LJ Hooker Dulwich Hill manager Yianni Karakikes, 31, was arrested in a series of dramatic police raids in Sydney and Queensland on Thursday.

Strike Force Orsino detectives are investigating the shootings of two men at a hair salon in July last year in Marrickville, in Sydney’s west, where Premier Anthony Albanese grew up and has a home.

Strike Force detectives say they have identified a criminal syndicate linked to the Comanchero outlaw bikie gang and involved in commercial drug supply and kidnapping plots.

Karakikes was arrested at his home in Dulwich Hill and later charged with being involved in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, participating in a criminal group and organizing, directing or assisting a drug establishment .

He is not accused of any involvement in the shootings related to the investigation.

Karrikes was refused bail to appear at Downing Center Local Court on Friday.

Detectives are also investigating possible links to the Marrickville shootings and the alleged murder of bikie associate Marvin Oraiha in Elizabeth Hills in May 2023.

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 searches, police located and seized luxury watches and jewelry worth $550,000, eight vehicles and a motorcycle with a combined value of $500,000.

Detectives also seized more than $25,000 in cash, $12,000 worth of prohibited drugs, several electronic devices and bicycle accessories.

Also arrested were alleged Comanchero associate George Lergou, 47, and alleged former Comanchero member Alan Marshall, 39.

Lergou was arrested at Burwood police station and charged with several offenses including two counts of shooting with intent to kill, conspiracy to take or detain a person with intent to gain advantage and two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

The 47-year-old was charged with knowingly handling proceeds of crime, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear or physical harm, and simple assault.

He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Friday.

Police will claim Lergou was not the shooter, but was part of the joint criminal enterprise involved in planning and carrying out the Marrickville shootings.

Marshall was charged with possession of a prohibited drug, possession or attempted possession of a prescribed restricted substance, failure to comply with an access to digital evidence order and two counts of participating in a criminal group.

He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Friday.

Alleged Comanchero Tiago Costa, 45, was charged with conspiracy to take or detain a person with intent to gain advantage, two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, failing to comply with an order for access to digital evidence and participating in a criminal group.

He was refused bail and appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.

Neither man has been 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 identifier and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order order .

He was granted bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on December 17.

A 42-year-old man has been arrested at Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast and is expected to be extradited to Tweed Heads on Friday where he will be charged with participating in a criminal group.

Investigations by Strike Force Orsino and Strike Force Hackenburg continue.