DLASTHR (The Last Hour) is an Assyrian criminal organization that is active in the south western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The group is said to have originated from another gang, called the Assyrian Kings.
The crime gang has been involved in a number of murders and public shootings, as they established themselves as a major drug dealing and distribution syndicate. Many members sport plenty of ink, including a distinctive clenched fist on their back. NSW police have actively pursued the gang for years, conducting numerous operations that have netted weapons and drugs.
In the 2010s, gun violence was thought to be part of the gang's turf war over drug supply with its rival gang, the True Kings. The conflict between the two gangs led to a string of drive by shootings and firebombings in the western suburbs of Sydney.
Origins
In the 1990s, Assyrian organised gangs began to appear in Sydney’s western suburbs, mainly involved in drug dealing. One of these groups became known as the Assyrian Kings. The group gained attention following the stabbing murder of off-duty police officer David Carty. At about 8:00 p.m. on 17 April 1997, Constable Carty and another officer were on foot patrol when they came across several people linked to the Assyrian gang on a street in Fairfield.
At about 2:10 a.m. the following morning, while off duty, Carty was at the Cambridge Tavern in Fairfield. While walking through the car park, he was ambushed by a group of men, including some of the people he had encountered earlier that night.
Carty was stabbed during the attack and died from his injuries. Members of the Assyrian Kings were later linked to his murder. Five people were charged in connection with the killing. Thamier Sako and Edward Esho received sentences of less than five and six years respectively, while the main offender, Dawood Odishu, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Odishu, also known as Gilbert Adam, died in prison in April 2024, one day before the 27th anniversary of Carty’s murder.
Following Carty’s murder, the Assyrian Kings broke apart. In the early 2000s, however, figures including Raymon Youmaran and Linard Shamouil revived the group under the name DLASTHR.
2000s
Sefton Playhouse shooting
In December 2002, Dimitri Debaz was fatally shot at a strip club in Sefton. Raymon Youmaran quickly became the primary suspect, leading to his disappearance along with another suspect, Raphael Joseph, also known as "Hasoni."
According to the NSW Police submission, Joseph, Youmaran, and three other men arrived at the Sefton Hotel, where Debaz was celebrating his brother Aleck's birthday with a group of friends. Within moments of entering the hotel, a fight broke out between Joseph, his accomplices, and Dimitri and Aleck Debaz. Police reports indicated that CCTV footage showed Joseph and three accomplices running to their car, where Joseph and Youmaran each retrieved a 9mm handgun before fatally shooting Debaz, who was standing near the hotel's entrance. Three shots were fired into the victim's back in an execution-style manner before the gunmen fled the scene.
Sandro Mirad, the driver of Youmaran and Joseph's getaway car, was charged and pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to Debaz's murder. Mirad received a two-and-a-half-year sentence, with one-and-a-half years to be served non-custodially.
As Youmaran evaded authorities and went into hiding, numerous retaliation attempts targeted individuals associated with him over several years. While in hiding, Youmaran engaged in drug distribution in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney, eventually becoming New South Wales' most wanted man.
The Rocks double murder
On April 16, 2005, at approximately 1:10 AM, Naser Ghaderi and Keyvan Ghajaloo were fatally shot in a drive-by incident on Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney. According to reports, Ghaderi and Ghajaloo were standing near a vehicle when a BMW and a Volkswagen approached. The driver of the BMW allegedly inquired, "Are you the Persians from the party?" Following this exchange, gunfire was discharged, resulting in the deaths of Ghaderi and Ghajaloo. The incident was believed to be a retaliatory act stemming from an altercation involving Ghaderi at a Persian event two weeks prior.
During the coroner's inquest, Ahmed Alfadly, a non-Assyrian associate of the gang, was identified as the individual involved in the preceding altercation with Ghaderi. Raymon Youmaran and Danny Hurmuz were also identified as potential persons of interest in connection with the homicides. Alfadly departed Australia for Kuwait five days post-incident and has not since returned. As of the current date.
Babylon cafe shooting
In November 2005, the Babylon Cafe in Fairfield, New South Wales, became the site of a violent incident when it was targeted in a drive-by shooting. The attack resulted in the death of Raymond Khananyah, an innocent bystander, and left three others wounded. According to reports, three individuals wearing balaclavas and wielding semi-automatic pistols emerged from a dark-colored vehicle and discharged approximately 17 rounds into the cafe. Authorities suspect that the incident was a case of mistaken identity. The vehicle used in the shooting was later recovered, leading to several arrests; however, Raymon Youmaran remained at large.
A coroner’s inquest in 2011 into the Babylon Cafe shooting brought to light that, in the days preceding the murder, there had been a prior shooting and a physical altercation during which a firearm was brandished. Peter McGrath, Counsel assisting the Coroner, stated that police investigators believed the shooting was perpetrated by a local Assyrian gang.
During the inquest, five individuals were identified as persons of interest in connection with Khananyah's death: Ramon Youmaran, Steven David, Danny Hurmz, George Hanna, Samer Marcus, and Michael Odisho.
Youmaran police chase & arrest
On 14 February 2006, police identified Youmaran at a residence in Woodcroft, Sydney, which was under police surveillance. At about 6:15 p.m., Youmaran entered the passenger seat of a green Mercedes-Benz. Police then began a high-speed pursuit, with the vehicle reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h on the M2 and M7 motorways. The pursuit was later abandoned due to safety concerns.
The following day, a 24-year-old man suspected of involvement was arrested and taken to Green Valley Police Station for questioning. Detectives later impounded the Mercedes-Benz from a residence in Cecil Hills, believing it to be the vehicle involved in the pursuit. The vehicle was subsequently subjected to forensic examination.
In June 2006, Youmaran was arrested in Mount Pritchard during a series of coordinated police raids across Sydney’s western suburbs. He had reportedly spent almost four years in hiding before his arrest. Seven other alleged gang members, including Linard Shamouil, were also arrested. Steven David of Hinchinbrook and Allan Dennis Pena of Mount Pritchard were arrested during the operation and charged with supplying 3,000 methylamphetamine tablets, with an estimated street value of $1.2 million. Both men were remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Local Court.
During Youmaran’s first court appearance, he was handcuffed and guarded by six police officers. A heated exchange took place between Youmaran and Mr Debaz’s father, with Debaz’s father and several relatives shouting abuse at him. Police and detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad intervened and removed both parties from the courtroom on the orders of the magistrate.
Youmaran later pleaded guilty to the murder of Debaz. He made full admissions to police concerning his involvement in the shooting and did not retract his confession. He acknowledged that Debaz was unarmed and lying on the ground at the time of the shooting. In June 2008, Youmaran was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years’ imprisonment.
Prison release
Youmaran was released on parole on 30 September 2023. He remained subject to sentences for supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. The latter sentence is due to expire in August 2026. His parole conditions prohibit him from using illegal drugs, possessing prohibited weapons, or contacting his co-offenders, victims, or their families.
Hamilton Road shooting
On 9 April 2006, Ashoor Audisho, a DJ at the Assyrian Australian Association Nineveh Sports and Community Club in Edensor Park, was fatally shot on Hamilton Road in Fairfield West. The killing was linked to Youmaran and his associates. Witnesses saw three men confront Audisho before they fled in a black Jeep Cherokee. Three suspects were later arrested and denied bail.
Linard Shamouil, a founding member of the criminal organization, pleaded guilty to Audisho’s murder. Court documents stated that the killing followed remarks made about Shamouil’s younger relative at an Assyrian festival in Fairfield on 2 April. Seven days later, Shamouil and two other men confronted Audisho outside a 7-Eleven store on Hamilton Road. During the fight, Shamouil produced a firearm and shot Audisho.r-v-shamouil casenote.au
Shamouil was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 14 years and six months. He was also sentenced for the attempted murder of Daniel Dawood, who had been shot outside his home in 2004. That sentence was 12 years, with a nine-year non-parole period, partly concurrent with the sentence for Audisho’s murder. Prosecutors relied on telephone records, witness testimony, and vehicle evidence.australian-uniform-evidence-law-2 www.rushtermpapers.com
Shamouil also received a five-year non-parole period for supplying 5,902 methylamphetamine tablets in May 2006. Police alleged the drugs were sold to undercover officers for $45,000. He was also charged with selling an unlicensed .45-calibre pistol to Sahir Marcus at West Hoxton.
Steven David and Dilan Shaba pleaded guilty to being accessories after the fact to Audisho’s murder and were each sentenced to between one and three years’ imprisonment.
Attempted murder & night club shooting
In June 2006, Sahir Marcus and Adam Saliba, both alleged members of DLASTHR, were arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Fayez Jenzarli. Police alleged Jenzarli was shot in the back of the leg outside his home in Prairiewood on March 25, 2006, after gunmen allegedly opened fire near the property late that evening.
Earlier that same night, Adam Saliba had himself been wounded after being shot in the stomach during a separate attack outside the Roxy Nightclub in Parramatta. The shooting sparked a major police investigation amid concerns of escalating violence linked to organised crime figures in Sydney’s southwest.
Following their arrests, Marcus and Saliba appeared before Fairfield Local Court, where they were both refused bail. The matter was later adjourned for the pair to appear before Liverpool Local Court.
A month earlier, police charged Farhad Quami, also known as Kuami, from South Granville, over the attempted murder of Adam Saliba in relation to the nightclub shooting. Quami had earlier been extradited from Perth over the murders of boxer Bassam Chami, and alleged drug dealer Ibrahim Assaad, who were shot dead in South Granville on March 29, only days after the Roxy nightclub shooting.murder-accused-was-acting-in-selfdefence-court-told www.news.com.au
Raphael Joseph arrest in the USA