Convicted murderer and former boss of the violent Brothers 4 Life motorcycle gang conspired with an inmate to resurrect the outlaw group from behind prison walls, police allege.
Notorious killer Bassam Hamzy is serving time at Goulburn Supermax for murder, conspiracy to murder and commercial drug supply after being jailed at age 18 in 1998.
It is believed Hamzy and companion Damien Featherstone – who was released from the NSW prison in December – recruited and radicalised other inmates to form the Illawarra chapter for the B4L gang, The Sunday Telegraph reports.
Notorious killer Bassam Hamzy (pictured) is serving time at Goulburn Supermax for for murder, conspiracy to murder and commercial drug supply after being jailed in 1998
It is believed Hamzy and companion Damien Featherstone (far left) – who was released from the NSW prison in December – recruited and radicalised other inmates to form the Illawarra chapter for the B4L gang
Detectives allegedly uncovered a slow-moving resurrection spearheaded by Hamzy from his jail cell after a group of six to eight men were found allegedly moving guns, plotting a public shooting and running a drug operation in Illawarra.
The NSW Police Criminal Groups Squad first heard rumours of the B4L uprising after speculation of a violent rivalry blossoming between B4L and fellow outlaw group the Finks.
Gang members recruited behind bars were also converted to Islam, police allege, including Andrew Coe – who was arrested for conspiracy.
B4L members Richard Dutton, 29, and Gregory Parker, 25, were also charged with participating in a criminal group.
Featherstone allegedly assumed a commanding role for the Illawarra chapter with the encouragement of Hamzy.
He is believed to have developed an addiction to methamphetamine, making his leadership style particularly violent and unpredictable.
Featherstone (pictured left and right) allegedly assumed a commanding role for the Illawarra chapter with the encouragement of Hamzy
Featherstone (pictured right with partner) is believed to have developed an addiction to methamphetamine, making his leadership style particularly violent and unpredictable
The NSW Police Criminal Groups Squad first heard rumours of the B4L uprising after speculation of a violent rivalry blossoming between B4L and fellow outlaw group the Finks (B4L members pictured)
The 29-year-old was arrested again in ACT last month after police raided his North Wollongong unit on and allegedly found a rifle and shotgun, hidden inside a speaker.
According to police, the B4L’s Illawarra chapter had one main assignment: to seek revenge against the Finks Illawarra president Troy Albert Fornaciari.
Featherstone believed Fornaciari, 34, sent a hitman to kill him disguised as a pizza driver, police facts state.
Fornaciari himself is accused of a string of offences including possessing an unauthorised pistol, intimidating police, knowingly directing the activities of criminal group, recruiting another to assist in carrying out criminal activity and supplying a prohibited drug.
Police are said to be dumbfounded by Hamzy’s mastermind influence while still behind bars.
Hamzy was classified as an ‘extreme high-risk inmate’ in 2002 and was supposed to have little to no contact with fellow prisoners.
However, even with the imposed restrictions, Hamzy was able to radicalise other inmates including Featherstone and recruit a loyal team of followers.
According to police, the B4L’s Illawarra chapter had one main assignment: to seek revenge against the Finks Illawarra chapter president Troy Albert Fornaciari (pictured)
Featherstone believed Fornaciari, 34, (pictured) sent a hitman to kill him disguised as a pizza driver, police facts state.
The 38-year-old Auburn bikie boss was jailed after shooting dead Kris Toumazis outside a nightclub on Oxford St in Paddington, Sydney in 1998.
Hamzy won’t be eligible for parole until 2035.
It comes as another B4L Illawarra member was charged with numerous offences as part of the ongoing police investigation.
In October 2017, detectives from the Criminal Groups Squad, with assistance from Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts, established Strike Force Rednap to investigate a number of public acts of violence, including public place shootings, in Illawarra.
Their inquiries revealed the acts were linked to a dispute between the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang and other groups, including B4L.
It comes a another B4L Illawarra member was charged with numerous offences as part of the ongoing police investigation (B4L members pictured)
Strike force investigators arrested a 27-year-old man at Newcastle Police Station on March 26.
The man, who is a self-proclaimed member of the B4L, was charged with conspiracy to discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm, conspiracy to fire firearm in or near public place, two counts of take part supply prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group assisting crime.
He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Wollongong Local Court on May 7 2018.
Investigations under Strike Force Rednap are continuing.