The murder of a woman in Bankstown has raised concerns about the changing dynamics of gang violence in Sydney. Thi Kim Tran, 45, was reportedly kidnapped outside her home in April and killed by a group allegedly hired by a Victorian-based Vietnamese drug gang. This incident marks a significant shift in gangland behavior, as it is the first known case of a family member being deliberately targeted amid the ongoing drug wars in the city.

Detectives believe Tran's murder was linked to her husband's involvement in a drug syndicate. Authorities allege that her husband had stolen drugs from the gang after being hired to manufacture illegal substances. Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi stated that the traditional underworld rule of leaving families out of gang conflicts appears to have been abandoned. "It seems those days are gone," he said. "These young criminals are ruthless; they don't care about the code. It's no longer 'families are off limits.'"

Since the onset of the drug wars in 2020, Sydney has seen 36 gangland deaths. While many of these incidents involved mistaken identities or innocent bystanders, Tran's murder stands out as a disturbing first. Superintendent Doueihi emphasized that the group responsible for her death is among several that no longer adhere to established gang rules. "They're selfish, they're greedy, they don't think of the consequences. These guys are big, big trouble," he added.

In a recent interview, Doueihi noted that the current generation of criminals is willing to act as enforcers for organized crime groups, often for the highest bidder. He explained that contracts for hits are being brokered by middlemen through messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp. "Whoever pays them the money, they'll go and do the job for them," he said.

The police recently thwarted an attempted hit on a man picking up his children from a daycare in Condell Park. The trio arrested in connection with Tran's murder were described by Doueihi as individuals who would "prostitute themselves out to whoever pays the biggest amount."

Past incidents illustrate the dangers of mistaken identity in gang violence. In January 2021, Mustapha Naaman was shot dead after being mistaken for crime boss Ibrahem Hamze. In July 2023, Ahmad Al-Azzam was killed by members of the Haouchar crime family who confused him for a rival. Additionally, hairdresser Amy Hazzouri was killed in August 2022 while sitting next to a gangster in a car.

Superintendent Doueihi cautioned that Tran was targeted due to her husband's actions, stating, "This female was not aware of what her husband was up to; she was targeted thanks to her husband." He advised, "Choose your friends wisely," highlighting the risks associated with involvement in criminal activities.