An alleged Coconut Cartel member wanted by Australian authorities has posted a video of himself dancing with a pistol while apparently overseas, in the latest social-media taunt linked to Sydney’s gangland feud.
Iziah Utai, 24, is believed to have left Australia in mid-2025 and is being sought by New South Wales Police in connection with the death of underworld figure Dawood Zakaria in May last year.
In the footage shared on Saturday night, Utai holds a handgun in one hand and an ammunition magazine between his teeth as he moves to music. He later spins the weapon around his finger while smiling at the camera.
He captioned the clip “cheee hooo”, alongside a coconut emoji. The phrase is used in Polynesian cultures to express excitement or celebration.
Other posts appear to show Utai travelling through Saudi Arabia and Albania. In one earlier video, he is seen firing weapons at a shooting range, with targets bearing the faces of three alleged associates of the rival Alameddine network.
Social-media taunts amid Sydney gang feud
The Coconut Cartel is alleged to be involved in a violent struggle with the Alameddine syndicate for control of Sydney’s drug trade. Police have described the group as a crime-for-hire organisation involved in offences across the city.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said police were concerned that senior figures operating overseas were directing young people in Sydney to carry out shootings and arson attacks.
“They don’t remain out of our reach forever,” he said, warning that investigators were working to identify those allegedly orchestrating the violence from abroad.
The latest video comes after a series of attacks allegedly connected to the conflict, including the shooting of Utai’s father, former NRL player Matt Utai, outside a home in Greenacre on February 17.
Police allege an SUV drove past shortly before 6am and up to five shots were fired. Matt Utai was struck in the shoulder and leg, treated by paramedics and taken to hospital for surgery. Police have said there is no suggestion that he was involved in organised crime.
Within hours, a home in St Clair was fired on and 14 rounds were allegedly discharged from an automatic weapon. The property was said to be linked to Utai’s in-laws.
Masked men appearing in footage of the attack were heard shouting abuse at the Utai family and the Coconut Cartel. Another video appeared to show a house in Guildford West, believed to be connected to Utai’s family, being set alight.
The property had also been targeted in a previous incident, while Utai’s Merrylands barbershop was firebombed on two consecutive nights in May 2025, according to police and Australian media reports.
NSW Police established Strike Force Halesowen to investigate the attacks, deploying about 100 detectives and officers. Four people, including a teenager, have since been charged over alleged shootings and firebombings linked to the feud.
Utai has previous convictions involving armed robbery, drugs and firearms. He was convicted of armed robbery in 2020 and later pleaded guilty to offences involving prohibited drugs, firearms and drug-driving.
Police have urged anyone with information about his whereabouts or the alleged gangland attacks to contact Crime Stoppers.
