Exiled gangland tobacco boss arrested in Iraq
An exiled underworld boss linked to the ongoing tobacco wars has been arrested following an independent criminal investigation by Middle Eastern authorities.
Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad arrested for drug trafficking expression From Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the arrest marked a significant disruption for an alleged serious criminal and his illegal enterprise in Australia.
He said federal police were working with local partners to dismantle the criminal’s criminal network, including targeting the alleged criminal offshore.
“AFP members have met with a number of agencies overseas in relation to this alleged criminal. I have also had one-on-one discussions with heads of law enforcement in relation to this alleged criminal,” Ms Barrett said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Late last year, AFP notified law enforcement in Iraq about this suspect. Iraqi authorities made an independent decision to arrest this suspect after launching their own criminal investigation.”
Hamad is believed to be the leader of Australian organized crime operations from the Middle East.
The union is believed to be behind several high-profile firebombings in Victoria as it fights to control the import and distribution of illegal tobacco.
Police revealed in March that many tobacco shop owners were intimidated by threats linked to the so-called “Goose Tax”.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks described the incidents as extortion and said some shop owners had sold their businesses and changed their addresses out of fear for their safety.
Police also suspect Hamad was involved in the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.
Deported from Australia in 2023.
Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation said in a statement on Tuesday that Hamad was “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world.”
In the statement, “The defendant… was arrested after obtaining the necessary permissions from the Supreme Judicial Council for an investigation against him, under the coordination of the General Directorate of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”
“The trials were initiated by the First Karkh Investigative Court, which specializes in drug cases.”
The statement alleges that Hamad was responsible for importing large quantities of drugs and smuggling heroin into Iraq and Australia.
“He is also linked to Australia’s most prominent organized crime gangs in Sydney and is responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion and drug importation,” he says.
Iraqi authorities say they believe he has ties to outlaw gangs with wide influence in Australia and the Middle East.
“(They) are responsible for murder, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assault, arson and drug trafficking globally.”
The federal police thanked Iraqi authorities for their work, adding that they would work with key partners to help keep Australians safe.
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