Police seize tonnes of illicit tobacco in regional Vic operation allegedly linked to Kazem Hamad
Police have seized 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 30kg of loose-leaf tobacco and more illicit products in a tobacco bust in regional Vic, the properties suspected to be linked to Kazem Hamad’s crime syndicate.
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Suspected links have emerged between a $12 million tobacco bust and Kazem Hamad’s outlaw smoke empire.
The Lunar taskforce and officers from VIPER carried out raids on properties in Melbourne’s western suburbs where 50,000 illicit cigarettes, 30kg of loose-leaf tobacco, vapes and a CCTV system were seized.
The addresses, two at Werribee and one in Altona Meadows, are suspected of being connected to the syndicate of exiled crime boss Hamad and his brother Maytham, who is currently on remand in West Australia.
Those warrants were connected to inquiries involving Victoria Police, their West Australian counterparts and Australian Taxation Office officials, which has been running in recent months.
It has been revealed that in March a seven-acre tobacco crop was uncovered at the back of a remote farm at Arcadia, near Shepparton.
Four-and-a-half tonnes of dried tobacco at the property was ploughed into the ground.
In May, police and the ATO raided a home at Undera, also in the Shepparton area, where two kilns allegedly used for drying tobacco were found.
They seized two tonnes of dried tobacco worth an estimated $3.5 million.
One of the Werribee raids was on a tobacco shop.
Its owner, a 36-year-old Werribee man, is expected to be charged on summons with possessing and producing illicit tobacco.
Police seized mobile phones at the Altona Meadows address.
“Police will allege the properties searched are linked to a significant leader of an organised crime syndicate involved in the illicit tobacco network,” a Victoria Police statement said.
Detective acting Supt Mark Hatt of the Victoria Police anti-gangs division said the force had made it clear the distribution and sale of illicit tobacco would be pursued, regardless of whether in the city of country.
“There seems to be a mistaken belief that you are safe from being targeted and out of constant law enforcement attention in country areas. This could not be further from the truth,” acting Supt Hatt said.
“These seizures – and their potential value in avoided excise – are significant, and their impact will no doubt be felt by the organised crime groups operating in Victoria. They will also provide further avenues of enquiry for Victoria Police.”
The western suburbs followed a succession of raids and arrests in Victoria and West Australia last month aimed at the Hamad syndicate.
In one of the warrants, carried out on a Sunbury home, 15 guns were seized.
ATO Assistant Commissioner Jade Hawkins said involvement in the illegal tobacco ring was “far from victimless”.
“Engaging in the illicit tobacco trade is a serious offence and is far from victimless,” Ms Hawkins said,
“These crimes are calculated, deliberate, and take vital funding from essential community services such as healthcare and education.
“Illicit tobacco retailers gain an unfair price advantage over honest businesses who do the right thing.
“Removing illegal tobacco from crop to the shop creates a level playing field for those small businesses.”
All illicit tobacco was disposed of by authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing with authorities urging anyone with information about illicit tobacco to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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