Police are on the hunt for one of Australia's most wanted men, offering a $250,000 worldwide reward for information leading to the arrest and extradition of suspected Coconut Cartel boss Anthony Pele.
The Coconut Cartel, predominantly based in Sydney, is understood to comprise members of the KVT gang, which allegedly acted as muscle for the Alameddine crime network before turning against it.
Pele, 25, has been on the run since 2023 and is wanted for a series of charges in relation to the alleged murder of Ahmed Al-Azzam.
Al-Azzam was shot multiple times, including in the head, while sitting in his car in Greenacre, south-west Sydney, in July 2023.
Two other men, who were in a separate car just 50 metres away, were also shot at after they were allegedly mistaken for a Comanchero hit team.
Pele fled Australia within weeks of the shooting and has since been sighted overseas, including in Samoa, Mexico, Albania, Thailand and Vietnam.
Police allege Pele has been controlling the Coconut Cartel from overseas for the past 12 months.
On Thursday, NSW Police Minister Yasmine Catley announced a $250,000 worldwide reward for information that leads to his arrest and extradition.
Police are offering a $250,000 worldwide reward for information leading to the arrest and extradition of suspected Coconut Cartel boss Anthony Pele
Pele, 25, has been on the run since 2023 and is wanted for a series of charges in relation to the alleged murder of Ahmed Al-Azzam
'The violence we have seen play out on our streets is horrific, even more so as innocent people have been caught up in it,' Catley said.
'Those allegedly orchestrating these sickening crimes think they can avoid justice by paying others to carry out violent acts, while they're living large overseas. They couldn't be more wrong.'
While investigators believe Pele is currently residing overseas, his exact whereabouts remain unknown.
State Crime Command boss and Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree explained even the smallest piece of information could be critical in locating the fugitive.
'Our investigators are working closely with law enforcement partners across Australia and overseas as part of a co-ordinated effort to find him (Pele) … We will continue pursuing every lead until he is apprehended,' Greentree said.
'If you know where Anthony Pele is, or if you have information about his movements, associates or whereabouts since leaving Australia, I urge you to come forward.'
Pele is also wanted for a number of other offences including shooting with intent to murder, conspiracy to kidnap and supplying commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.
Anyone is eligible to apply for the reward as long as they abide by Australian law when providing the information.
A source told The Daily Telegraph that police hope the reward will flush out information from the underworld.
'There are guys out there now shooting people for $50,000 or less. They will give up their grandmother for $250,000,' they said.
