Alleged western Sydney kidnapping linked to underworld feud

A man found with facial injuries more than 15km from the western Sydney suburb where he was allegedly assaulted and kidnapped by a group of men has been identified as a close associate of a Sydney gangland figure.

The man, aged in his 30s, was allegedly bundled into a vehicle after he was assaulted on Eve St in Guildford just after 11.30pm on Monday.

The Daily Telegraph has reported the man is a close associate of Ali Younes, a drill rapper known online as Ay Huncho and an alleged member of the Alameddine crime network.

Younes is believed to have been the intended target of a “kill car” team that was sensationally intercepted by police in broad daylight on the M4 earlier this month.

Shortly after initial reports of the alleged kidnapping reached police on Monday night, officers discovered a vehicle partially burnt out in Belmore St, Villawood, and investigators are trying to establish whether that vehicle was involved in the incident.

About 12.30am, an hour after police were first notified, they found the man, who had sustained facial injuries, somewhere in Casula.

The man was treated for his injuries and taken to hospital in stable condition.

Five men were arrested near Kane Place in Casula shortly after, and the investigation remains ongoing.