A major manhunt is under way for six people in Sydney after an alleged tobacco heist turned into a kidnapping, with one man’s toe partially severed.
Police were called to a business complex in Condell Park, in Sydney’s south-west on January 4, after reports of an alleged break-in.
Officers found three men aged 30, 32 and 38 with their arms and legs bound together.
Police allege that the three men were tied up and assaulted for up to 20 minutes.
The 38-year-old man suffered a partially severed toe and was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
The 30 and 32-year-old men were treated for minor injuries.
Police arrested 24-year-old Mohamad Kaddour and 26-year-old Ahamad Dudu at the scene while six other alleged offenders fled.
Police allege the incident started as an attempt to steal more than a tonne of tobacco.
“It’s worth more than you can possibly believe,” criminologist Associate Professor Michael Kennedy said.
“And there’s nothing unusual about organised crime engaging very violent behaviour in order to protect their sources of revenue.”
CCTV obtained by 9News shows the moments before the three men were allegedly kidnapped.
The footage shows two men, believed to be the kidnapping victims, emerging from the darkness with their hands in the air as a hooded man with a metal rod moves towards them.
Seconds later, an alleged attacker can be seen holding one of the alleged victims by his waist, pushing him forward.
Another two men can also be seen in the CCTV footage.
The alleged victim can then be seen trying to escape before he’s thrown to the ground.
A ute and two white trucks can be seen speeding past them.
Police are still searching for six others allegedly involved in the kidnapping.
Kaddour and Dudu were both charged with detaining a person, actual bodily harm and aggravated break and enter.
Dudu made an application for bail, which was denied by the judge.
Kaddour will be back in Bankstown Local Court on January 13.
Dudu will reappear in the same court on March 5.
