A MAN shot and dumped in a Melbourne street could be the 24th victim of Melbourne’s underworld killings with detectives from thePurana gangland taskforce called in to investigate.

The 40-year-old, whose body was found on Saturday night, was killed and then dumped in Brunswick.

The man is said to have been a close associate of underworld figure Mick Gatto, 48, who was recently charged with the murder of Andrew “Benji” Veniamin, the bodyguard to alleged crime figure Carl Williams.

Gatto claims to have acted in self defence.

The latest casualty, whose name has not been released, is thought to be the 24th victim in a battle that began six years ago between factions of Melbourne’s underworld.

He is reported to have been a convicted killer as well as having a close association with Melbourne’s crime families.

Initial reports indicated he might have died from stab wounds, but a post-mortem examination revealed he was shot, police said.

This recent death follows that of crime patriarch Lewis Moran on March 31.