NSW PREMIER ORDERS POLICE BRIEFING ON GANGLAND CRIME

NSW Premier Chris Minns ordered an urgent police briefing from the NSW Police Commissioner, following two suspected mistaken identity killings in recent days, believed to be part of the ongoing gangland crime.

On Tuesday 1 September 2026, Marco Tapia, a 23 year old university student, was shot dead in his Glen Alpine family home by masked men, in what authorities believe to have been a case of mistaken identity.

The following day, 40 year old Joshua Macdonald was shot dead outside a home in Merrylands West, with authorities believing that he too was not the intended target and was an innocent victim of the ongoing gangland warfare.

Greater police powers and resources anticipated

The NSW Premier has committed to providing police with more power to “smash these cartels and criminal organisations up and to ensure when they’re caught the book is thrown at them.”

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon promised a greater police presence and reflected on the arrest of over 800 people for organised crime-related offences in 12 months as a reflection of the police force’s dedication to fighting gangland crime.

POLICE COMMISSIONER FOCUSES ON TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

In the context of the gangland crime, the NSW Police Commissioner described law enforcement agencies around the world as facing challenges of organised crime networks using encrypted technology and the dark web.

The Commissioner stated that the police will focus on technological advancements to fight against the underworld’s use of technology in the facilitation of gangland crime.

MEN CHARGED WITH ACCESSORY TO MURDER

This month’s innocent victims are among the latest in a growing number of innocent victims of organised crime this year.

Two men have been charged with accessory to murder following the alleged kidnapping and murder of Chris Baghsarian, who was believed to not have been the intended target of the kidnapping.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR ACCESSORY TO MURDER?

Accessory before the fact to murder

Section 346 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) states that a person who is an accessory before the fact to a serious indictable offence shall be liable to the same punishment to which the person would have been liable had the person been the principal offender. In the case of murder, this leaves the Court open to provide a penalty of up to life imprisonment for a person convicted of being an accessory before the fact to murder.

Accessory after the fact to murder

Section 349(1) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) prescribes a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment for a person convicted of the criminal offence of accessory after the fact to murder.

WHAT DEFENCES ARE AVAILABLE AGAINST AN ACCESSORY TO MURDER CHARGE?

Defences available against an accessory to murder charge include, but are not limited to:

Duress
Necessity
No intention
Did not commit the act
Mental Health/Cognitive Impairment

CAN I RECEIVE BAIL ON AN ACCESSORY TO MURDER CHARGE?

Yes, you may be granted bail whilst your accessory to murder criminal matter is in progress and it is important to do so, for the sake of your own liberty and so that you are best positioned to commit to your legal matter. It is much easier to gather evidence in support of your case as a free person, rather than during incarceration. Your bail is likely to come with conditions, although you may seek to have the conditions varied.

Our expert bail lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group were awarded the best law firm in Australia for securing bail for our clients who have been charged with serious criminal offences, including accessory to murder.

HAVE YOU BEEN ACCUSED OF ACCESSORY TO MURDER?

If you have been accused or charged with accessory to murder or a gang-related crime, contact our team at Criminal Lawyers Group for a free consultation. Accessory to murder convictions have severe repercussions, so it’s crucial to be represented by our award-winning team, who were recently awarded the title of best criminal lawyers in NSW.

Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised for securing not guilty verdicts, bail and the withdrawal of charges for our clients across NSW who have been charged with gang-related crime.