Police exploring drug theft links to fatal Sydney pub shooting

Police are investigating whether a man who survived a brazen assassination attempt outside a busy Sydney pub was targeted because he had stolen drugs from an underworld rival.

Maradona Yalda, 31, was seriously injured when he was shot several times outside the Harold Park Hotel in Forest Lodge on Sunday night. Yalda’s associate, Gilbert Shino, 39, was killed after being peppered with bullets as he tried to flee the shooting.

Yalda was shot in the neck, chest and abdomen. He was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. Witnesses reported hearing between six and 12 gunshots before multiple suspects were seen fleeing.

A police source familiar with the investigation into the shooting told the Herald that detectives were exploring Yalda’s suspected involvement in a drug theft as a possible motive for the targeted attack. While other lines of inquiry are being followed, the attack is believed to be linked to the drug trade.

Sources previously said Maradona, who is believed to have returned to Australia from Dubai days before the shooting, was aware of threats to his life. It is not known whether he had travelled abroad because of the threats.

Yalda has long been linked to Assyrian organised crime gangs in Sydney’s west, including DLASTHR – or “The Last Hour” – and is known to authorities for a range of alleged offending tied to the groups.

Yalda, Shino and three other associates had been at the hotel since about midday, watching an Ultimate Fighting Championship event. Shino was known to police through his associations with Assyrian organised crime gangs, but not for serious offending linked to the groups.

Relatives on Monday paid tribute to Shino, who police believe was “collateral damage” in the attempt on Yalda’s life.

“How am I going to live without you? You were my life,” Shino’s partner, Natasha Avakian, posted on Instagram.

More than $67,000 has been donated to an online fundraiser set up to support Shino’s family.

“He was a devoted husband and a loving father to two beautiful girls who adored him more than anything in this world. His family was his everything, and he would have moved mountains to make sure they were cared for and loved,” a message on the fundraising page said.

“To his friends and family, he was more than just someone we loved – he was the life of the party, always smiling, always lifting others up and always there when you needed him. His warmth, kindness, and joy touched every person who had the blessing of knowing him. He truly was an amazing human being, and his absence leaves a hole in all of our hearts.”

On Monday night, a blue Ford Mustang believed to have been used as a getaway car in the shooting, was found alight in Rydalmere, about 18 kilometres from the Harold Park Hotel.

Investigations into the shooting under Strike Force Westmoore are ongoing. Homicide squad detectives will take carriage of the investigation in the coming days.

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