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Australia's 'most wanted man', Hells Angels kingpin Angelo Pandeli reportedly detained in Dubai
In an unexpected twist in the unlikeliest of events, the national president of Australia's Hells Angels has reportedly been detained in Dubai.
Seen as "Australia's most wanted man", Angelo Pandeli was arrested on Wednesday – Australian tabloid The Herald SunÌý°ù±ð±è´Ç°ù³Ù±ð»å.
While it is unknown why Pandeli was detained, it was also unclear whether he has been charged or will be held.
Pandeli is accused of being an international drug kingpinÌýand isÌýseen as a global player on the drug market - one of the biggest players in the cocaine and methamphetamine scene in Australia.
Like many high-profile Australian crime figures, he left Australia in 2018 and set up shop in Dubai, buying property and settling down with his family, but Australia's law enforcement agencies still had an interest in apprehending him.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission said Pandeli was part of a massive drug syndicate that was smuggling $1.5 billion worth of drugs into Australia every year.
Pandeli is known for bringing together leaders from different gangs to conduct business, using Dubai as a base.
The Herald SunÌýalso revealed that Pandeli was expected to travel to Mexico for a "major" Hells Angels gathering in Cancun this week.
Senior members of the biker group from Russia, Thailand, andÌýthe Netherlands are expected to meet there in September.
The meet-up is reportedly being held to discuss importing drugs into Australia, celebrate links with another group, the Nomads and attract leaders from other gangs interested in doing business.
The Hells Angels are the largest biker gang in the world, with almost 4,000 members spanning over 60 countries with nearly 475 chapters.
Pandeli joined Hells Angels in 2000 and rose from the ranks to national presidency after moving to Sydney.