Bassam Hamzy: The making of the criminal mastermind

The only police officer to fire a shot at Bassam Hamzy recently revealed for the first time how he could have ended the notorious gangster’s bloody reign 20 years ago.

The only police officer to fire a shot at Bassam Hamzy recently revealed for the first time how he could have ended the notorious gangster’s bloody reign 20 years ago.

Detective Adam Barwick faced-off with Hamzy in a darkened alleyway - both drawing guns on each other - after the police officer saw Hamzy gun down an innocent teen at point-blank range.

Bassam Hamzy is serving 21 years in jail after being convicted of murder. Picture: Supplied

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Barwick came face-to-face with Hamzy. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Sunday Telegraph today launches a four-part multimedia special report into the making of the criminal mastermind, publishing never-before seen photos of the convicted murderer and transcripts intercepted phone calls.

“I get reminded by other cops about that night — how some of it all could’ve ended back then,” Detective Barwick tells The Sunday Telegraph’s crime reporter Ava Benny-Morrison.

“You can see how he started and what he turned into.”

Hamzy’s murder of Kris Toumazis after a petty run-in between their friends would not only see Hamzy flee overseas, but take him from a petty criminal to an international cocaine kingpin - who even plotted murdering his own brother.

READ THE FULL STORIES:

COP: ‘I COULD HAVE ENDED HAMZY’S BLOODY REIGN’

FUGITIVE’S MESSAGE TO MUM: ‘SEND ME SOME UNDIES’