Australian Authorities Thwart Alleged Scheme to Assassinate OneFour Rap Group Members

Australian police have arrested and charged two men in connection with an alleged plot to kill four members of the rap group OneFour. The men, Brandon Maseuli and Yousef Rima, are reportedly part of an international criminal syndicate that originated in Lebanon. According to police, this group specializes in carrying out violent crimes like murders and kidnappings upon request. Maseuli, 26, and Rima, 20, were taken into custody in Sydney and are facing multiple charges including conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, directing a criminal group, and various drug and robbery-related offenses. The authorities are also seeking an arrest warrant for a 22-year-old man believed to be outside of Australia. The two men allegedly conspired to murder four high-profile men from Sydney's northwest, who happen to be members of OneFour - Jerome "J Emz" Misa, Pio "YP" Misa, Spencer "Spenny" Magalogo, and Dahcell "Celly" Ramos. It remains unclear why another member of the group, Salec "Lekks" Su'a, was not targeted. Reports suggest that the plot against the OneFour members arose due to a conflict between the rappers and the group that allegedly hired the criminal syndicate's Sydney cell. This revelation came as part of a wider investigation into the Sydney cell, which Maseuli and Rima are associated with. The investigation has also linked this cell to several kidnappings, including one involving over 722kg (1,600 pounds) of cocaine. Both suspects have appeared before the Liverpool Local Court and have been denied bail. OneFour, a popular rap group in Australia, has had previous encounters with the police due to their music containing dark themes and violent lyrics, which some claim can incite violence. In 2019, the group was compelled to cancel a national tour due to safety concerns expressed by the police.