An exiled underworld figure with deep ties to Australia’s illicit tobacco trade has been arrested in the Middle East, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, also identified in official documents as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami, was taken into custody by Iraqi authorities in coordination with Australian law enforcement, according to a statement from Iraq’s National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation.
The statement described Hamad as “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world” and alleged he was directing his family’s organized crime operations from abroad. Hamad is believed to have played a central role in a violent turf war over the importation and distribution of illegal tobacco products in Victoria.
Victoria Police established Taskforce Lunar in October 2023 following a surge in organized crime activity linked to the illicit tobacco trade, which has included a series of high-profile fire-bombings. Authorities have long suspected Hamad of orchestrating these attacks from outside Australia.
“The accused individual…was arrested in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct investigations against him,” the Iraqi statement said. “The proceedings were initiated by the First Karkh Investigation Court, which specialises in drug cases.”
Iraqi authorities allege that Hamad was responsible for importing significant quantities of drugs into both Iraq and Australia, including heroin. “He is also involved with the most prominent organized crime gangs in Australia – particularly in Sydney – responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug imports,” the statement said.
The arrest underscores Hamad’s alleged global reach. Iraqi officials stated they believed he maintained close ties to outlaw gangs with influence in both the Middle East and Australia. These networks are reportedly implicated in a wide array of criminal activity, including money laundering, fraud, arson, violent assaults, and international drug trafficking.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether Hamad will face extradition to Australia or stand trial in Iraq, though the coordination with Australian law enforcement suggests cross-border legal proceedings are likely.
Hamad has been a key figure in what law enforcement officials have described as the ongoing “tobacco wars” in Victoria. The state has seen escalating clashes between organized crime groups vying for control of the lucrative black-market tobacco trade. Taskforce Lunar has linked multiple violent incidents, including fire-bombings targeting rival operations, directly to syndicates associated with Hamad’s network.
While details of his arrest have emerged, Australian Federal Police officials have declined immediate comment. Experts in organized crime say Hamad’s detention could represent a major disruption to the illicit tobacco trade and related criminal operations across Australia.
“This arrest is a significant development in the fight against organized crime,” said one crime analyst. “Individuals like Hamad operate across continents, and their influence extends well beyond traditional borders. Disrupting these networks requires cooperation between nations and sustained investigative efforts.”
The case highlights the increasingly transnational nature of organized crime. Authorities in Iraq and Australia have emphasized that Hamad’s alleged activities not only involve illegal tobacco and drugs but also a pattern of violent and financially motivated crimes affecting multiple countries.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to keep the public informed of any developments regarding potential charges, extradition proceedings, or further arrests connected to Hamad’s network.
