Kazem “Kaz” Hamad is a notorious former Australian underworld figure and alleged tobacco and drug kingpin who has risen to prominence in international headlines following his reported arrest in Iraq on January 13, 2026 at the request of Australian authorities. Once a central figure in Melbourne’s criminal underworld, Hamad is now one of the most wanted men linked to organised crime, violent attacks, smuggling networks, arson and syndicate activity spanning multiple countries.
Hamad’s life is a stark example of how illicit trade and criminal networks can evolve into transnational threats. His story involves deportation, continued influence across borders, and allegations of involvement in everything from extortion to violent crime — making him a highly controversial and dangerous figure in the global crime landscape.
Kazem Hamad Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kazem “Kaz” Hamad (also Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami) |
| Known As | Kaz Hamad |
| Age | Reported around early 40s (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi-Australian (formerly resident in Australia) |
| Ethnicity | Middle Eastern |
| Religion | Likely Muslim (based on origin; not self-verified publicly) |
| Known For | Organised crime, alleged tobacco & drug trafficking kingpin |
| Current Status | Arrested in Iraq (January 2026) |
| Wanted By | Australian Federal Police & international agencies |
Background and Early Life
Kazem Hamad was born in Iraq and later relocated with his family to Australia, where they were refugees. The exact details of his early life, schooling, and upbringing are not part of the public record, but his later activities suggest he became entrenched in criminal networks at an early age, gaining influence in illicit tobacco markets and associated organised crime syndicates.
Hamad’s rise in the underworld was neither sudden nor isolated. Over several years, he developed a reputation that authorities describe as dangerous and far-reaching — extending beyond simple smuggling into violent control of illegal markets.
Rise as a Tobacco and Drug Kingpin
Kazem Hamad became widely known within Australia’s organised crime landscape for his control of the illicit tobacco trade in Melbourne and Victoria. This trade grew into what media and police referred to as part of the “tobacco wars”, with rival groups fighting over profitable but illegal cigarette distribution networks.
Authorities have alleged that Hamad’s network:
- Controlled large segments of the illegal tobacco market
- Extorted local businesses through enforced protection fees
- Oversaw firebombings of tobacco shops and rival outlets
- Distributed cigarettes and drugs across state and national borders
- Developed alliances with other organised crime syndicates in Sydney and the Middle East
Police reportedly branded him a threat not just for illegal trade but also for violent crimes linked to his criminal enterprise, including shootings, murder, kidnapping, assaults, money laundering, and fraud.
Criminal Allegations and Investigations
Over the years, Hamad became one of the most wanted fugitives targeted by Australian Federal Police (AFP) and international law enforcement. His criminal network was described in official statements as one of the most extensive and dangerous seen by authorities.
Some of the notorious allegations include:
- Organised drug trafficking, including heroin importation
- Large-scale extortion and protection rackets
- Firebombing attacks against rival operations and businesses
- Involvement in a synagogue firebombing investigation linked to broader sectarian tensions in Melbourne
- Connections with violent crime gangs in Australia and the Middle East
Interpol and AFP had previously issued advisories, describing him in some contexts as a “national security threat” and placing him on international watch lists.
Deportation from Australia
Kazem Hamad’s legal troubles in Australia culminated in his deportation in 2023 after serving approximately eight years in prison for drug trafficking. Following his deportation, he returned to his birth country of Iraq, but allegedly continued to exert influence over criminal operations from overseas.
Despite his removal from Australia, authorities claim his underworld influence persisted, and investigations continued regarding his role in crimes within Australia and internationally.
Arrest in Iraq (13 January 2026)
In a major development reported on the 13th of January 2026, Kazem Hamad was arrested in Iraq by Iraqi authorities acting in coordination with Australian law enforcement. The arrest was made in direct response to official requests and judicial cooperation between nations.
According to statements from the Iraqi National Center for International Judicial Cooperation, the arrest was carried out after coordination with Iraq’s Ministry of Interior and approval from the Supreme Judicial Council. Hamad was described by authorities as “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world.”
The charges linked to his arrest include:
- International drug importation and smuggling
- Collaboration with prominent organised crime gangs
- Involvement in violent criminal activity spanning multiple continents
- Past implications in arson attacks and extortion schemes
Australian police confirmed that the legal request for arrest came from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Ethnicity, Religion and Cultural Identity
Kazem Hamad is of Middle Eastern origin, born in Iraq before migrating to Australia as a refugee in childhood. While formal public records do not list his religious affiliation, it is widely presumed that he comes from a Muslim background consistent with demographic patterns in Iraq and among the Iraqi diaspora; however, Hamad himself has not publicly confirmed his religious beliefs.
His cultural identity as an Iraqi-Australian placed him at the intersection of diasporic community dynamics and transnational criminal investigations.
Age and Personal Life
Kazem Hamad’s exact birth date and age are not publicly confirmed, though reports in Australian media indicate he is in his early 40s as of 2026. Details about his family life, education, or personal relationships have not been disclosed in official records.
He has been known by the nickname “Kaz” and also by his full legal name Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami in legal and international judicial contexts.
Net Worth and Wealth Estimates
There are no official or audited public records of Kazem Hamad’s personal wealth. However, law enforcement and media reports have repeatedly described him as a figure who controlled highly profitable illicit markets. Some sources have suggested his influence could translate into hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds, though such figures are speculative and not officially verified.
His alleged control of large segments of the illicit tobacco trade and connections with organised crime networks would have enabled substantial unreported revenue flows.
Public Image and Controversy
Kazem Hamad’s public image is overwhelmingly controversial and negative within official discourse. Law enforcement has repeatedly labelled him a dangerous organised crime figure responsible for violence and illegal markets.
However, in some fringe community narratives — particularly among certain participants in the illicit tobacco trade — he has occasionally been romanticised or labelled a “Robin Hood” type figure exploiting regulatory pressures, though this perspective is not supported by authorities.
While criminal activity impacts communities through violence, economic distortion, and fear, some observers note that such figures can gain localized notoriety among select populations.
International Legal and Security Response
The arrest of Kazem Hamad is a major development for international law enforcement cooperation. It highlights:
- Australia’s determination to pursue fugitives abroad
- The role of judicial collaboration between nations
- The use of international crime databases and cooperation agreements to track and apprehend organised crime figures
Australia has branded his network a significant threat to national security, especially in relation to arson attacks, heroin trafficking, and violent organised crime.
Conclusion
Kazem Hamad’s story is one of criminal enterprise, cross-border crime networks, and international legal pursuit. Arrested in Iraq after years of evading justice, he stands as a symbol of how organised crime can outlive borders — and how global cooperation remains essential in combating it.
While his exact personal details and private life remain largely unknown, his influence on illicit markets and connections with violent crime have left a profound imprint on law enforcement priorities in Australia and beyond. His arrest in early 2026 marks a significant chapter in the ongoing fight against transnational organised crime.