Sydney shooting was 'mob execution'

File photo / AAP

A man shot dead at his Sydney home last week was due to give evidence about death threats against the chief Crown witnesses in a major drug trial.

Gemahl Maika, 38, was an important witness in a series of criminal cases against a multi-million dollar cocaine trafficking and money laundering syndicate, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The raids that broke up the gang in 2007 netted $20 million in cash and firearms including a gold-plated .357 Magnum pistol.

Mr Maika was shot on Wednesday night as he drove into the garage of his home at Glen Alpine in Sydney's southwest.

Police said it was an "execution", adding that Mr Maika, whom police did not name at the time, was known to police.

The Herald reported today that in a hearing of one case against the "golden gun" syndicate, police said there were "extreme" threats to the safety of witnesses.

The evidence to be given by Mr Maika related to allegations of death threats against the chief Crown witness in the continuing case, known as Mr X.

- AAP