What is Coconut Cartel? Criminal group comes under NSW police lens amid crackdown against rising incidents linked to the crime-for-hire network

At least two men have been arrested as part of NSW Police’s crackdown on the so-called “Coconut Cartel”. The two men, identified as 24-year-old Isaac Mar-Tuvunivono and 19-year-old Nadan Moore, were apprehended in separate operations over the past week. Their arrests form part of a broader operation by authorities to restrain violent crime allegedly linked to the group.

The operation was launched following an incident on January 21, 2026 when a Toyota SUV was found ablaze in Randolph St in Guildford.

The clampdown came after the self-styled 'Coconut Cartel', an emerging crime-for-hire network allegedly at war with a notorious crime family, grabbed the attention of the police. NSW police launched a new strike force following a recent rise of alleged threats and incidents targeting the syndicate. It is known as Strike Force Helston.


The group was the apparent target of a shooting that put a former NRL star, Matt Utai, in hospital, according to the Australian Associated Press. A strike force had been set up specifically targeting the Coconut Cartel, Australian Associated Press reported, citing a police statement. "Strike Force Helston was established ... to suppress escalating violence and investigate a series of alleged threats and incidents linked to the syndicate," the statement read.

Utai sustained injuries after he was caught in the crossfire of his son Iziah Utai's alleged criminal associations and escalating gang conflict, police said. He is not accused of any criminal associations. The younger Utai is believed to be linked with the “Coconut Cartel”. The group has been accused of intensifying violence and multiple alleged threats and incidents, according to authorities.

'Coconut Cartel' members accused of setting car on fire in Guildford

Members of 'Coconut Cartel' are reportedly accused of setting a car on fire in Guildford, in Sydney's west, on January 21, 2026, before leaving signs that referenced the Coconut Cartel on the vehicle. The Toyota SUV was the vehicle which was reportedly involved in the incident, News Australia reported. It was found ablaze in Randolph St in Guildford.

Video of the fire did rounds on the Internet and circulated on an underworld-focused media outlet, with police lamenting an escalation in footage of alleged crimes being posted online, Australian Associated Press reported. The two men faced court on Thursday (February 26, 2026), accused of the fire.

Charges against Mar-Tuvunivono and Moore

Mar-Tuvunivono, who was arrested on February 19, 2026, and Moore were hit by multiple charges. According to the Australian Associated Press, Mar-Tuvunivono faced a string of charges, including possessing an unauthorised pistol, destroying property by fire and participating in a criminal group.

He faced Blacktown Local Court and did not apply for bail. He will be back in court on May 1, 2026. On the other hand, Moore was charged with destroying property by fire and participating in a criminal group.

NSW Police issues statement on ‘the Coconut Cartel’

"We believe the Coconut Cartel, a name they've given themselves, is a violent criminal organisation; they're involved in crime-for-hire essentially, and they're committing offences across Sydney," Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy of the New South Wales (NSW) Police said.

"We've all seen there's an escalation in (recording and distributing videos of crimes); there are certain platforms giving them that ability."

According to the Australian Associated Press, six people have been charged for alleged involvement in the Utai incident along with associated car fires and the shooting of a house. These incidents were apparently attacks against the Coconut Cartel. A 25-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been charged with attempted murder over Utai's shooting attack.