Australian Federal Police (AFP) say the arrest of alleged organised crime kingpin Kazem Hamad in Iraq last month has led to infighting in the syndicate he is accused of leading.
Images of Hamad in custody in Iraq have been released for the first time.
Hamad, also known as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami, was alleged to be one of the key players in Melbourne’s tobacco wars.
Iraqi authorities detained him in January and he has been the subject of a months-long AFP investigation known as Operation Carmen.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett has described Hamad as her “number one target”.
The photos have been made public with the permission of the National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC) in Iraq.
Kazem Hamad is being held by Iraqi authorities in a secret location. (Supplied: Australian Federal Police)
“I want every offender connected to Hamad or his syndicate to look long and hard at this photo,” Commissioner Barrett said in a statement.
“And I want to be very clear — just because Hamad is in custody, the AFP’s job is not done.”
The AFP confirmed Hamad remained in custody in a secret location in Iraq, and the AFP was supporting the independent Iraqi investigation.
“The AFP again travelled to Iraq last week to provide further assistance. Key investigative information was also shared with the AFP,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“While the Iraqi investigation continues, the AFP remains committed to Operation Carmen, our investigation into Hamad and his syndicate.”
Key figure in tobacco wars
Hamad was deported from Australia in 2023 and has been a key person of interest relating to firebombings at Victorian tobacco shops and businesses.
In a past Victorian court case, police said they believed Hamad had orchestrated a series of firebombing attacks on his rivals or Melbourne shop owners who defied his alleged standover men.
They said exorbitant extortion fees became known in Melbourne as the “Kaz tax”.
Kazem Hamad is alleged to be a key figure in Melbourne’s tobacco wars. (Supplied)
Senior police earlier confirmed that he was being looked at as part of the investigation into the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in December, 2024.
The AFP suspects the syndicate linked to Hamad is operating in five Australian states and one territory.
“Due to Hamad’s arrest, a lack of leadership, infighting, and dysfunction within the syndicate is creating new opportunities for investigators attached to Operation Carmen,” Commissioner Barrett said.
“The AFP will use every partnership, capability, and legislative power to dismantle this dangerous syndicate and identify every single individual who is linked to this crime gang.
“The AFP will work closely with state and territory law enforcement agencies, which have had significant success in arresting, disrupting and charging alleged syndicate members.”