Tobacco enforcer Isse Isse sent kids to attack rival stores, court told

A Melbourne dad became second in charge to a tobacco syndicate’s ringleader and would order youths to carry out revenge attacks in an escalating turf war, a court has heard.

A Melbourne dad became an enforcer for a Victorian illegal tobacco syndicate and would task youths with attacking rival stores, a court has heard.

Isse Isse, 26, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where it was alleged he was second in charge to the syndicate’s ringleader, Nazir Haddara.

The father of two was arrested earlier this month alongside Mr Haddara, 25, and other co-accused in a major police sting.

The court heard officers from Viper Taskforce had been tracking their every move since January in a bid to dismantle the escalating tobacco turf war violence across the state.

Detective Senior Constable Jessica Keenan, from the Viper Taskforce, told the court Mr Isse rose up the ranks of the syndicate to become a trusted enforcer since meeting Mr Haddara in mid-2023.

Nazir Haddara is seen leaving the Melbourne Magistrates' Court. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police allege the Haddara family is one of the major operators of Victoria’s illegal tobacco sector with dozens of stores across the state.

Four tobacco stores — two in Echuca and others in Yarrawonga and Corio — were in Mr Isse’s name, providing him a lucrative income, the court heard.

Detective Keenan said Mr Isse had a propensity to commit violence at the direction of the syndicate’s hierarchy.

He was also “well connected” and revenge attacks against rival stores were “farmed out to youth offenders” by him.

She added Mr Isse was so trusted in the syndicate he would fill in for Mr Haddara when he was away.

Detective Keenan said Mr Isse, using the alias “Sinatra”, would bark orders to his underlings on encrypted messaging apps, WhatsApp and Signal.

The court heard officers from Viper Taskforce had been tracking their every move since January. Picture: Victoria Police

In August, he allegedly ordered a ram raid on a tobacco store in Wonthaggi, which was opening up near another store run by a relative of Mr Haddara.

He advised a youth in WhatsApp to get a stolen car from Newport, with the key being on the tyre, then drive to the store.

He said to drive the car in as far as possible to ensure they would not be able to operate, Detective Keenan said.

”Just run the car in hard,” he allegedly wrote. ”Do not burn, only ram.

“Literally a 20-second job. Make sure proper, so everyone is happy.”

The ram raid offender was allegedly paid in cash the next day at a meeting in a Melbourne park.

In the same month, Mr Isse is alleged to have stormed a Thomastown home where he used force and intimidation on a man to try and illicit the whereabouts of his associate, who stole $20,000 from the syndicate.

Hassan Jassem has been released on bail. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police allege Mr Isse grabbed the victim by the shirt and dragged him into the front yard, slapping him to the face and demanding to know where his friend was.

“He said if he didn’t get the money he would f--k (the victim),” Detective Keenan said.

She said he then dragged the victim along the ground and demanded he take his pants off so he could sexually assault him.

“There are 10 more Africans coming,” he allegedly threatened.

The details of his alleged involvement in the syndicate were aired in court as he successfully made a bid for bail.

Mr Isse is charged with 20 offences, including directing the activities of a criminal organisation, possession of tobacco products with the intent of defrauding, possessing proceeds of crime, selling and distributing e-cigarettes, aggravated burglary, assault, and making threats to kill and rape.

His grant of freedom comes after Mr Haddara and his cousin Hassan Jassem, 21, were also released on bail last week.

Mr Isse was ordered not to associate with his co-accused on his release.

He was also banned from attending any store that sells tobacco or vapes.