Cross-border hit: Police believe interstate gang gunned down Melbourne underworld figure
A sophisticated underworld crew from New South Wales is suspected of orchestrating the targeted murder of a young gangster in northern Melbourne.
The killing of Melbourne underworld figure Athan Boursinos was carefully planned. Hitmen, hired by a NSW crime syndicate, used multiple stolen cars months earlier to execute the daylight shooting.
Boursinos, son of a former police officer, was shot dead in a laneway behind his family home in Wollert, on Melbourne’s outskirts. The incident occurred shortly before he was due to attend Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court over drug, weapons, and driving charges in July.
“We know that Athan was heavily connected to organised crime. We’re working through numerous avenues relating to his background and who he is connected with,” said Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt. “And those responsible were guns for hire.”
Police have not yet confirmed a clear motive but intelligence suggests a NSW crime syndicate sanctioned the hit.
Previously reported by The Age, Boursinos was part of a street crew controlled by illicit tobacco magnate Kazem Hamad and his cousin, suspected drug trafficker Ahmed al-Hamza. The 21-year-old was also a suspect in the assassination of infamous Melbourne underworld figure Suleiman “Sam” Abdulrahim at a Preston hotel in January.
Author’s summary: The planned murder of Melbourne gangster Athan Boursinos highlights the brutal reach of organised crime across state borders, with NSW syndicates suspected to be behind interstate hits.