Police allege it was a "common goal" of an organised crime network to kill Sydney gangster Mahmoud "Brownie" Ahmad, after charging a man with his murder.
It will be alleged in court Pierre Abou-Sleiman "coordinated and planned" Ahmad's slaying in the south-west suburb of Greenacre in April.
Police yesterday pounced on the 26-year-old, who allegedly left the country in the days after Ahmad was killed, and had returned to Australia only recently.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty says police will allege Mr Abou-Sleiman had "direct knowledge" of the plot to kill Ahmad.
Mr Abou-Sleiman allegedly organised the sourcing of three getaway cars used in the hit, and attempts to dispose of one of the vehicles, the senior detective said.
"Whilst he didn't pull the trigger, from the actions of this man, he might as well have loaded the gun," he said.
"The murder wouldn't happen without all this planning and organisation."
Mr Abou-Sleiman was arrested during a vehicle stop in Campsie about 12:40pm on Wednesday and was charged with murder and participating in a criminal group.
He is the third man charged in relation to Ahmad's murder, with two others facing accessory to murder charges.
Ahmad, 39, was shot outside an associate's home about 9:30pm on April 27, by at least one person firing from inside a black Porsche.
Police have said the convicted killer was aware there was a bounty on his head at the time of his death.
Today, Detective Superintendent Doherty said the allegedly "sophisticated and meticulously planned" murder was plotted by organised crime figures.
"We're going say it was a common goal to assassinate Brownie Ahmad," he said.
Mr Abou-Sleiman had returned to Sydney on October 31 after allegedly travelling overseas in early May.
Detective Superintendent Doherty says police have been waiting.
Detectives allegedly spoke with the Belmore man and seized two mobile phones, including one which was encrypted, shortly before he left the country.
Police will allege detectives found evidence on the phones showing he helped plan Ahmad's murder.
Mr Abou-Sleiman is due to appear before Bankstown Local Court today.
Investigations under Task Force Erebus continue.
