Australia’s most dangerous drug trafficker captured in Iraq

Exiled underworld kingpin Kazem Hamad has been arrested in Iraq, with authorities there describing him as “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world.”

Hamad — also known as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami — is suspected of playing a key role in Melbourne’s tobacco wars while living in his country of birth, after being deported in 2023.

His arrest was confirmed by Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation on Tuesday night, which said it came “in response to an official request from Australia.”

“The accused is one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world,” the statement said.

“He is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia, as well as smuggling heroin.

“He is also involved with the most prominent organized 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.”

Hamad, 41, was last year declared a “national security threat to this country” by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett during a Senate estimates hearing.

She cited his alleged links to “tobacco-related arsons” and intelligence linking him to the firebombing of Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue – allegedly on behalf of the Iranian government – in December 2024.

Hamad was deported from Australia after serving an eight-year jail term for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring.

He was returned to his native Iraq, from which his family fled during the first Gulf War before coming to Australia as refugees in 1998.

However, police believe he has remained a powerful figure in Melbourne’s underworld in the years since and taken control of large parts of the city’s illicit tobacco trade.

A source told the Herald Sun last year Hamad could be worth “hundreds of millions.”