Kazem Hamad: Australia’s former organised crime and alleged tobacco king sentenced to life in Iraqi prison
He was once considered ‘one of the most wanted individuals’.
A former Melbourne organised crime figure and alleged Australian tobacco king pin accused of ordering the firebombing of tobacconists across Perth has been handed a life prison sentence by an Iraqi court for drug trafficking.
Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah Al-Hajami, better known as Kazem Hamad, was sentenced by the Karkh Criminal Court on Tuesday and had his assets confiscated, the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation confirmed in a statement.
“The convict is considered one of the most wanted individuals by Iraqi and international judiciaries,” the NCIJC said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“He is responsible for importing large quantities of narcotics into Iraq and Australia, smuggling heroin, and is linked to transnational organised crime gangs involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, murder, kidnapping, extortion, and organised violence.”
The 42-year-old was deported from Australia in mid-2023 but was allegedly still supplying millions of illegally imported cigarettes into the country.
He was at the top of the Australian Federal Police’ target list when, in January, he was arrested by authorities in Iraq and taken to a top secret location and held in custody.
In a statement on the sentencing, the Australian Federal Police said: “Questions should be directed to the NCIJC. The AFP will provide further comment at an appropriate time.”
Hamad’s brother, Maytham Hamad was arrested late last year at his home in Perth and charged with knowingly dealing with $1 million or more in crime proceeds.
Police allege that the 31-year-old was running an illicit tobacco and money laundering network across WA, Victoria and NSW.
Hamad was born in Iraq in 1984 and moved to Australia in 1998 when his family migrated. He first came to the attention of authorities in 2001, arrested at the age of 17.
He went on to become involved in multiple high-profile crime cases, including kidnapping, bashing, drug trafficking and organised crime activities.
In 2015, he was moved to Christmas Island following his Australian permanent residency status being revoked.
There, he spent eight years in the Immigration Detention Centre, before he was deported.
Earlier this year, WA Police Detective Acting Senior Sergeant David Knight, from the transnational serious organised crime squad, said a “significant link” was uncovered between Hamad’s syndicate and the Comanchero outlaw bikie gang.
“Their activities, including importation, distribution, arson and extortion, are nationally coordinated, and the domestic supply of illicit tobacco and vapes is widespread,” Mr Knight said.
