It’s shocking but true: a notorious underworld figure linked to Australia’s fierce tobacco-related conflicts has reportedly been detained in Iraq. But here’s where it gets controversial—this arrest signals a major development in international criminal investigations and raises questions about global crime networks stretching far beyond Australian shores.
Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, once a prominent figure in the Australian underworld, was taken into custody in Iraq on allegations of drug trafficking, according to a statement from Iraq’s National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation released Monday night. The authorities describe him as “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world,” underscoring the severity of his criminal profile.
Australian law enforcement officials, including Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett, addressed the media on Tuesday. While she did not directly name Hamad, her statement emphasized the relentless efforts to locate an “alleged offshore offender”—a primary target deemed a significant threat to national security. Barrett revealed that following intelligence sharing and international cooperation, the AFP intensified their efforts, even dispatching personnel overseas to gather crucial information and collaborate with foreign police agencies.
Remarkably, late last year, Australian authorities provided intelligence to Iraq regarding this individual. Iraqi officials independently pursued charges and launched their own investigation, culminating in Hamad’s arrest, signaling a collaborative success between countries.
Barrett highlighted the arrest’s importance, calling it “a significant disruption” to Hamad’s criminal operations, which reportedly spanned Australia and Iraq. She also expressed gratitude to Iraq’s National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation for their support.
Multiple sources familiar with Australian law enforcement confirmed that Hamad holds significant influence within the criminal underworld, notably connected to Victoria’s ongoing violence and turf wars over illicit tobacco trade. This violent conflict has involved various groups, including outlaw motorcycle gangs and Middle Eastern organised crime entities. In response, Victorian police established Taskforce Lunar in October 2023 to combat the rising tide of organized crime linked to illegal cigarettes.
The Iraqi statement, issued Tuesday, formally identifies Hamad as “Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami.” It details his arrest coordination through Iraq’s Ministry of Interior’s Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Department, authorized by the Supreme Judicial Council. The case is being prosecuted by the First Karkh Investigation Court, which specializes in drug-related offenses.
Iraq’s officials allege Hamad is responsible for importing large quantities of illicit narcotics into both Iraq and Australia, specifically heroin. Furthermore, he is said to be intricately connected with major organised crime groups in Sydney, involved in a wide array of criminal activities such as shootings, homicides, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug smuggling.
Authorities claim he maintains extensive influence over gangs managing criminal operations across Australia and the Middle East—groups responsible for deadly violence, money laundering, fraud, arson, and broader drug trafficking on a global scale. This arrest not only marks a significant breakthrough but also underscores the transnational nature of modern organized crime, raising important questions about the reach and impact of these illicit networks worldwide.
