The Pyke Syndicate, also known as the Syndicate, Pyke Family, or simply as the Pykes, was a spice dealership within the Spice Cartel that operated in the criminal underworld from their homeworld of Oba Diah. They also participated in the crime raids on Mandalore to start the Death Watch rule on said planet.
The Pyke Syndicate owned a large complement of Pyke patrol ships and freighters to transport their enforcers and goods around the galaxy. Their troops were typically equipped with large pistols, but the Pyke sentinels typically possessed larger and more specialized weapons. Some sentinels were seen attempting to use a blaster turret during the riot on Kessel. Some Pyke sentinels on Kessel used stun spears to enforce the discipline of their slaves.
The Pykes were developed by George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. They were first introduced in «Eminence,» an episode in the fifth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Before the cancellation of The Clone Wars TV series, a four-episode arc entitled «Ahsoka’s Walkabout» was to follow Ahsoka Tano after her decision to leave the Jedi Order, showing some of her first adventures in the Coruscant Underworld where she met a scoundrel named Nyx Okami, whom she developed a close relationship with. During their adventures she was to be challenged by the Pyke Syndicate, and in the process she would have had to resist her Jedi teachings for her own safety. When The Clone Wars returned for its final season, this arc was adapted, but Okami was replaced with sisters Trace and Rafa Martez.