Pyke Syndicate

The Pyke Syndicate was a spice dealership that operated in the criminal underworld. The Pykes were responsible for ensuring the flow of spice from Kessel to Coruscant, utilizing smugglers and freighter captains to carry out Kessel Runs to ensure spice deliveries. Prior to the invasion of Naboo, Supreme Chancellor Valorum sent Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas to engage the Pykes in negotiations with the Galactic Republic regarding the Pykes' monopoly on the spice trade. At the behest of the Sith, however, the Pykes killed Sifo-Dyas.

Years later, during the Clone Wars, the Pyke Syndicate allied themselves with Darth Maul and his Shadow Collective; the Pykes were eager to join after Maul had coerced the Black Sun into joining the alliance. Along with Black Sun, and at the behest of Maul and Death Watch, the Pykes staged an attack on Mandalore, allowing Death Watch to intervene as so-called defenders of the people. With the government of Mandalore unable to manage the crisis, Death Watch successfully took over Mandalore.

Behind the scenes
The Pykes were developed by George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. They were first introduced in Eminence, an episode in the fourth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1
 * Star Wars: Darth Maul&mdash;Son of Dathomir 1