Nazir Haddara and Hassan Jassem win bail bid after being charged over alleged connections to major illegal tobacco syndicate

The alleged ringleader of a major Victorian illegal tobacco syndicate and an alleged enforcer have been released back into the community after being nabbed in statewide sting.

The alleged ringleader of an illegal Victorian tobacco syndicate and an alleged enforcer have won their fight for freedom after being caught up in a major police sting.

Nazir Haddara, 25, and his cousin Hassan Jassem, 21, continued their bid for bail in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 24 facing charges in relation to the ongoing tobacco wars engulfing Victoria.

Both men appeared from the docks on Thursday after being arrested during a statewide operation that police say struck a $30m blow against the illicit tobacco syndicate.

Police have alleged the Haddara family is one of the major operators of Victoria’s illegal tobacco sector, which allegedly controls dozens of stores across Melbourne.

Mr Haddara – of Hoppers Crossing – was arrested by police at Melbourne Airport on October 22, where police alleged he was attempting to flee to Dubai.

In new evidence revealed to the court, detective Sergeant Dustin Sheppard said an analysis of Mr Haddara’s phone had shown communication with a Dubai property broker.

“We found a series of WhatsApp messages between Haddara and a person called Fadi Dubai,” he said.

Nazir Haddara leaving the Melbourne Magistrates' Court following his successful bail application. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

“They were engaging in a conversation regarding a property development in Dubai and the purchase of a property being built.

“There was a $232,000 receipt for the purchase.”

Det Sergeant Sheppard told the court Mr Haddara also talked about bringing “extra payments” for the deal when he arrived in Dubai.

Mr Haddara’s barrister Ian Hill KC argued against the allegation, using his return ticket as proof of a plan to return to Australia.

“Police have no evidence he was fleeing and his passport has since been seized,” Mr Hill said.

“There are only four charges against him and despite some debate … they all concern the sale of illicit tobacco.

“There is precisely no evidence put before your honour as to his involvement in any other offending such as arson, armed robbery or extortion.”

Mr Haddara faces charges including directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possession of tobacco products with the intent of defrauding, possessing proceeds of crime and selling and distributing e-cigarettes.

Mr Haddara’s older brother Ahmad Haddara, 34, put up $150,000 surety for his younger brother to be released.

Police opposed the bail application, saying Mr Haddara was an “unacceptable risk”.

Hassan Jassem leaving the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

In evidence given by detective Senior Constable Jessica Keenan, police alleged Mr Haddara was involved with stores selling illicit tobacco products in Kyabram, Seymour, Echuca, Ararat, Maryborough, Warrnambool, Werribee, various suburbs throughout Geelong, Boronia, Bundoora, Dallas, Kensington and Hoppers Crossing.

From January to August this year, police tracked an alleged $2.68m in sales from these stores, with the profits going directly into a Commonwealth Bank account where Mr Haddara was the sole signatory.

Police alleged Mr Haddara used pseudonyms including “Sully” to communicate with associates through encrypted apps including WhatsApp and Signal, in order to “avoid detection and maintain clandestine operations”.

The court heard Mr Haddara had also allegedly sifted thousands of dollars through various bank accounts between 2022 and 2024.

Police seized an alleged $30,000 cash hidden in nappies at Mr Haddara’s Hoppers Crossing home, a green Lamborghini, three keys labelled Echuca, Laverton and Plaza and various mobile phones.

Sen Constable Keenan told the court police believed Mr Haddara to be “the most culpable for the offending carried out by the syndicate”.

“Our concern is, given the amount of money that he has readily available, it provides him the ability to flee,” she said.

“The syndicate continues to grow and expand as a criminal business despite police intervention.”

Police have alleged Mr Haddara was linked to “some of the arson attacks”.

The court heard Mr Jassem and Mr Haddara were cousins as police alleged Mr Jassem was a “lower ranked” but “senior” member of the syndicate, calling him an “enforcer”.

On Thursday Mr Jassem appeared beside Mr Haddara in the docks after being transported from Echuca where he was arrested on Tuesday.

Cops raided an Echuca hotel room where Mr Jassem was found, where it has been alleged police seized 15,000 cigarettes, 5kgs of loose tobacco, alongside other illegal tobacco products including vapes.

A huge pile of Double Happiness cigarettes were seized from a home in Truganina.

Police also raided Mr Jassem’s family home where they allegedly seized $15,000 cash and a mobile phone.

Sen Constable Keenan told the court a surveillance operation had seen Mr Jassem allegedly trading illicit tobacco from a vehicle at the Seymour Woolworths carpark throughout 2024.

The court heard police allege he functioned as a “violent enforcer” for the syndicate.

“There are copious amounts of information and evidence on the phone intercepts relating to his involvement in the syndicate,” Sen Constable Keenan said.

Mr Jassem’s lawyer also argued there had been no direct evidence brought by police to prove her client had engaged in extortion or other violent allegations.

Mr Jassem’s mother put up $100,000 in surety for her son to be released.

The court heard he lived at the family with both his parents and three younger brothers.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson said despite the crown case being “strong”, she was satisfied strict bail conditions would “mitigate the risk to an acceptable level”.

Ms Hodgson said she had also taken into account that other co-accused and associates arrested on Tuesday “had been granted bail in relation to the matter”.

Mr Haddara and Mr Jassem were both released on bail with strict conditions including night time curfews and not attending any location where illicit tobacco or vapes are sold.