A Sydney underworld figure who was allegedly on the run for more than a year has been arrested in Türkiye the ABC understands.
NSW Police believe 27-year-old Massoud Zakaria fled the country in December 2021, just as an arrest warrant was issued over his alleged involvement in a gangland murder plot.
It is understood the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are negotiating with Türkish authorities as they attempt to extradite him to Australia.
The alleged senior member of the Alameddine crime network is wanted for questioning by police over allegations including conspire to murder, directing a criminal group, drug supply and proceeds of crime offences.
NSW Police, the AFP, Australian Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission had worked together to track his location over the past 13 months.
It is alleged Mr Zakaria was involved in the planning of an aborted hit on underworld figure Ibrahem Hamze, at North Sydney in August 2021.
Mr Hamze is allegedly part of the Alameddine's rival network the Hamzy clan — two sides of an ongoing feud police have linked to a series of public shootings in Sydney.
Mr Zakaria is the latest in a string of Australian fugitives arrested by Türkish authorities.
Last month, alleged crime kingpin Tony Haddad was detained in Türkiye after more than two years on the run.
He was deported to Australia.
The 46-year-old went into hiding while on trial for his role in allegedly importing safrole oil, a banned substance that could produce more than two million MDMA tablets.
His arrest came five months after Comanchero boss Mark Buddle was detained in Türkiye before being deported to Australia.
