Just now: Two people have been arrested in connection with the assassination of an Australian gang figure in Ho Chi Minh City, but what was found on them reveals a completely new plan
Two arrested over Ho Chi Minh City assassination of Australian gang figure
Two suspects have been arrested over the assassination of Coconut Cartel boss Lorenzo Lemalu in Vietnam.
Sydney’s gang war spilled onto the streets of Ho Chi Minh City when the 24-year-old was shot dead outside a restaurant on Thursday evening.
Today, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security announced two suspects “involved in the shooting incident against a group of foreigners” in the Ben Thanh Ward had been arrested.
It said the arrests had been carried out by the ministry’s operational units and Ho Chi Minh City Police.
In footage of the shooting that emerged last week, a hooded hitman in a hat exits a restaurant circling behind Lemalu and his associates before unleashing several shots from a pistol.
Lemalu runs inside and crashes onto the floor.
The Vietnamese ministry confirmed a second person was also injured.
Lemalu was a senior figure in the Coconut Cartel after cutting ties with a gang linked with Sydney’s Alameddine family.
Police are investigating if the shooting is linked to the ongoing struggle for the drug trade that’s caused escalating violence across Sydney.
Trang Bang Ward Police in Tay Ninh released images and names of two Australian men they wanted to speak to in connection with the shooting.
It was unclear whether they were the two suspects arrested today.
Retired NSW Police sergeant Glenn Gorick said the assassination was a “warning”.
“If they can find you in Vietnam, they can find you anywhere,” he said.
The ministry said it was investigating, verifying and handling the suspects in accordance with the law.
