Updated June 11, 2026 — 1:57pm,first published June 11, 2026 — 7:58am
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Notorious Sydney gang rapist Mohammed Skaf has been arrested and charged with directing a large-scale drug trafficking syndicate, two years after serving out a two-decade prison sentence for a series of horrific attacks on schoolgirls.
Detectives investigating large-scale drug supply in Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday night arrested Skaf, 42, who was hospitalised after an alleged struggle with police.
Mohammed Skaf was arrested at Greenacre on Wednesday night.NSW Police
Skaf was charged with 24 offences, including supplying prohibited drugs of varying quantities, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and directing activities of a criminal group. During searches of a vehicle, Skaf’s Greenacre home, and a nearby park, police allegedly seized almost $250,000 cash, cocaine, MDMA and several mobile phones.
A man and woman allegedly working with Skaf, John Harvard – who is also known as Ahmed Warwar – and Winter Egitmeglu, were also arrested on Wednesday night. Harvard and Egitmeglu, who detectives allege worked as runners for Skaf, were charged after simultaneous raids of their respective Bankstown and Newington homes just before midnight on Wednesday. Drugs and weapons, including a baton and ballistic vest, were allegedly seized at the properties.
Skaf was remanded in custody until Friday, when he is expected to apply for bail. Skaf’s lawyer, Mohamad Sakr, declined to comment on the charges against the 42-year-old, who did not appear in court.
Mohammed Skaf, aged 17.NSW Police 
Mohammed Skaf (centre) was released on parole from the Long Bay prison in 2021 after serving more than 20 years of a 23-year sentence for gang rapes.Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Skaf, then 17, his brother Bilal and at least 14 other men raped at least six schoolgirls over several weeks in 2000. They lured girls from locations such as shopping centres and train stations and then repeatedly forced them to perform sex acts on the men.
Skaf was initially handed a 31-year prison sentence, which was reduced on appeal to 22 years with a non-parole period of 18 years. His non-parole period expired in 2018, but several bids for freedom were rejected.
He was released from Long Bay prison in October 2021, after almost 21 years behind bars, under strict parole conditions allowing his release. His parole order applied until the expiration of his sentence in January 2024.
Mohamad Sakr, lawyer for Mohammed Skaf, declined to comment to media outside Bankstown court.Sam Mooy
Under Skaf’s parole conditions, which were in place until the expiration of his sentence, he was subjected to 24/7 electronic monitoring and was banned from contacting his victims or their families. He was not allowed to be in the presence of a person under the age of 16 unaccompanied or contact an underage person without approval, and was required to participate in mental health and community programs.
Bilal Skaf is serving a 38-year prison sentence, which was reduced from 55 years on appeal.
Skaf returned to the attention of police after the second iteration of Strike Force Earley was established in March to investigate the large-scale supply of cocaine and other illicit drugs throughout south-west Sydney.
“We believe, and we’re going to allege, that he’s the principal,” Detective Chief Inspector Jeffrey Walsh said.
“He directed everybody.”
Investigations into the syndicate are ongoing, Walsh said.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners