Arrest is made after boy, 11, was shot inside a Sydney home – with cops swooping on alleged Coconut Cartel member as he tried to board flight
An 18-year-old man has been arrested at Sydney International Airport following the death of an 11-year-old boy who was shot during an incident in a Norwest apartment on 21 September. Reece Fakhr was apprehended before boarding a flight to Southeast Asia after police discovered a phone allegedly left at the crime scene that contained evidence linking him to the Coconut Cartel, a gang embroiled in organised crime.
Forensic examination of the phone revealed encrypted messages allegedly between Fakhr and high-ranking gang members discussing murder, kidnapping, arson and illegal firearm trafficking. Fakhr has been charged with 10 offences including directing criminal group activities and conspiracy to commit murder, though he is not accused of involvement in the boy's death, which occurred when the child was handling an illegal firearm that accidentally discharged. He has been denied bail and will remain in custody pending his next court appearance in December.
- 18-year-old arrested at airport after phone left at shooting scene revealed gang links
- Encrypted messages allegedly discussed murder, arson and illegal firearms trafficking
- Charged with 10 offences but not linked to the 11-year-old's death
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An 11-year-old boy died in a Sydney apartment in late September after accidentally discharging an illegal firearm he was handling. The incident occurred in Norwest and prompted police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Coconut Cartel is an organised crime gang based in Sydney involved in drug trafficking, illegal firearm supply and violence. Gang members operate through networks of associates engaged in various criminal activities. Police enforcement against gang-related crime has been a priority in New South Wales.
Following the incident, police investigation examined connections between the death and criminal networks operating in the Sydney area. Gang activity has remained an ongoing focus for law enforcement in the region.