Sydney home of former NRL star's son is torched by mystery arsonists as gangland war escalates

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER and CANDACE SUTTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:14, 12 June 2026 | Updated: 01:28, 12 June 2026 The home of former NRL star Matt Utai's son has been deliberately torched just months after the premiership winner was shot twice in a drive-by shooting.  Utai's son Iziah, 24, has been linked to the Coconut Cartel gang, which has launched an ongoing war on the Alameddines for control of the Sydney drug scene. Police believe Iziah is a senior member of the emerging crime group and may be directing operations from overseas after leaving Australia in 2025.  He remains wanted for the murder of Dawood Zakaria, an alleged associate of the Alameddine crime network who was shot dead on May 25, 2025. Emergency services were called to the Utai residence about 1.15am on Friday following reports the Guildford home in Sydney's west had been set alight.  'A number of empty fuel cans and gas bottles were located within the premises,' NSW Police said in a statement. 'The home is currently vacant which has been the subject of previous arson attacks and drive by shootings.' 'Police have been informed that two persons were seen at the premises immediately before the fire started.' Utai's son Iziah, 24, has been linked to the Coconut Cartel gang, which has launched an ongoing war on the Alameddines for control of the Sydney drug scene Former NLR star Matt Utai is not accused of any wrongdoing. He survived after being shot twice during a drive-by shooting in February of this year Footage shared on social media Instagram show flames engulfing the property, which sustained extensive damage in the blaze.  The property is linked to Iziah Utai. His father, a former Bulldogs and Parramatta player, is not accused of any wrongdoing. In February, Matt Utai, 44, was shot twice on Macquarie Street in Greenacre, in Sydney's south-west. Police allege an SUV drove past his home shortly before 6am on February 17 before up to five shots were fired from the vehicle. Paramedics treated Utai at the scene for injuries to his shoulder and leg before he was rushed to St George Hospital where he underwent surgery. Just 24 hours later, video showed gunmen - said to be associated with the Alameddine crime network - taunting the Utai clan again. They unleashed 14 rounds from an automatic weapon into the walls and windows of a home in St Clair, western Sydney.  They claimed it was the home of the in-laws of Iziah Utai. The property is linked to Iziah Utai The Coconut Cartel were once hired by the Alameddines, but the two camps had a falling out, with the cartel now plotting to take over the Alameddines' kingpin role in Sydney's drug trade. The now-breakaway gang is believed to be made up of members of Sydney's Islander and Fijian communities. The Alameddines were previously believed to have used bikie gangs including the Comanchero for protection and muscle to enforce their authority. But underworld sources say the bikies have all now abandoned the Alameddines, opening the door for the deadly coup by the Coconut Cartel. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.