“He is also involved with the most prominent organised crime gangs in Australia – Sydney, responsible for shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion, and drug imports.
“Furthermore, he is involved with outlaw gangs that have extensive influence within Australia and the Middle East and are responsible for carrying out murders, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assaults, arson, and drug trafficking on a global level,” the statement said.
The statement refers to Hamad as “Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami”.
Since his release from prison in July 2023 and deportation to Iraq, police suspect Hamad and his gang have taken control of large sections of the illicit tobacco market and forced a new order on Melbourne’s gangland scene.
“The Hamad syndicate are responsible for a significant number of serious offences, including arsons, extortions [and] shootings linked to the illicit tobacco trade as well as the importation and distribution of illicit tobacco,” a police intelligence report obtained by this masthead says.
Law enforcement sources say Hamad tops the list of “Australian priority organisation targets”, a designation used by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for the most significant organised crime groups in the country.
During a recent Senate Estimates hearing, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett declared Hamad a national security threat over his involvement in the illicit tobacco industry, alleged links to serious violence and suspected involvement in the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in December 2024 on behalf of the Iranian government.
A source familiar with the law enforcement operations against Hamad said, assuming the reports of Hamad’s arrest are accurate, it was unclear whether the Australian government would be able to extradite Hamad to Australia or whether Iraqi authorities would continue to hold him.
Hamad had come to be regarded as almost untouchable in his base in Iraq, where he lives in a fortified compound and conducts business through encryption technology.
Hamad is suspected of having deep and influential links to the Iraqi security services, in part due to family connections and in part due to his massive wealth.
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