Maytham Hamad arrested after ‘investigation into alleged money laundering by an organised crime syndicate linked to the illicit tobacco market across Australia’
Detectives have arrested Kaz Hamad’s brother Maytham Hamad as part of an investigation into the alleged funnelling of vast sums of money to the Middle East.
Organised crime detectives have swooped on the brother of tobacco kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad after a massive $8 million outlaw tobacco sector money-laundering inquiry.
Maytham Hamad, 31, was arrested by West Australian investigators in Perth on Tuesday night as part of an investigation into the alleged funnelling of vast sums of money back to his brother in the Middle East.
Kazem was deported to Iraq in mid-2023 and has built colossal wealth and power by taking over the illicit tobacco trade back here.
Maytham is believed to have been arrested without incident as he left a gym.
“The arrest overnight of a 31-year-old Mount Pleasant man by Western Australia Police Force is the result of a comprehensive investigation into alleged money laundering by an organised crime syndicate linked to the illicit tobacco market across Australia,” a Victoria Police statement said.
It was identified in March of this year that large sums of cash and illicit wealth were allegedly being distributed across Australia, but in particular, between Western Australia and Victoria.”
The investigation began as Victoria Police’s Operation Charger by Taskforce Lunar.
“Investigators believe approximately $8m in proceeds of crime has been sent from WA to Victoria and laundered on behalf of a man who is believed to be directing significant crimes in Victoria from offshore,” the statement said.
WA Police alleged Maytham ran a syndicate involved in moving illicit tobacco profits from cash-only sales to Victoria by post.
They say that in August and September, 45 parcels – each containing between $155,000 and $220,000 in cash, were sent to Victoria.
Their total shifted was valued at $8 million.
Nominee accounts and encrypted messaging were used by the ring, it is alleged.
Police say Maytham ran a network of shops in Armadale, Byford, High Wycombe and Meina.
WA Police became involved after 11 incidents of arson, criminal damage and gun attacks between July 10 and August 11 this year.
Evidence of large-scale money laundering was uncovered during this probe.
Maytham was remanded in custody after appearing at the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He will return to court next week to apply for bail.
The hearing scheduled for his existing charges was moved to early January 2026.
Charges against Maytham were laid by the WA Police transnational serious and organised crime squad.
On Wednesday, September 24, detectives from Lunar arrested a 42-year-old Craigieburn man after he returned from South Australia with $1.2M cash.
“He is expected to be charged on summons with Commonwealth money laundering offences,” the statement said.
Victoria Police detectives and their WA counterparts have worked to identify, track, and target those involved in the alleged syndicate, which is suspected of laundering illicit wealth for serious and organised crime figures throughout the country.
Assistant Commissioner Martin O’Brien of Victoria Police Crime Command said the WA arrest was a significant step against the profits of the illicit tobacco black market.
“Illicit tobacco has fuelled unspeakable violence and crime in our communities, and the joint investigation into this criminal syndicate is just another step in our efforts to dismantle their illicit operations,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Victoria Police continues to target facilitators of organised crime. We are never talking about just illicit tobacco. Irrespective of the commodity, police will continue to target organised crime both locally and nationwide.”
While investigating the alleged Hamad syndicate, Victoria Police have raided 18 properties across Victoria and South Australia. Detectives have seized 157,000 illegal cigarettes, 1450 vapes, 66kg of loose leaf tobacco, cash counting machines, twenty phones and two cars worth $100,000.
Originally published as Maytham Hamad arrested after ‘investigation into alleged money laundering by an organised crime syndicate linked to the illicit tobacco market across Australia’
