The Haddara crime family has lost the so-called “tobacco war” after allegedly handing over control of its illicit tobacco empire to new underworld kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad following a relentless extortion and firebombing campaign.
Underworld sources, who cannot be identified for fear of retribution, say the Haddaras have also paid $1 million to Hamad to be left in “peace” after a series of properties linked to the family were torched since December.
Fadi Haddara (left) and Kazem “Kaz” Hamad.Credit: Marija Ercegovac
The life of patriarch Fadi Haddara had also been under threat after underworld sources said a $1 million bounty was being offered for his murder.
An underworld source says Haddara realised his life was seriously at risk after sweeps of his car uncovered GPS trackers attached to the undercarriage. None belonged to law enforcement.
The Haddaras have dominated the illicit tobacco trade for more than a decade and were suspected of being behind some of the largest importations of illegal cigarettes in Victoria, according to intelligence held by law enforcement.
Police and underworld sources believe the tobacco war started with an attempted extortion and firebombing in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs in March 2023. There have been more than 50 arson attacks since then, including five separate attacks on tobacconists in a single week in February.
The turf war has been fought for control over hundreds of specialty tobacco shops and convenience stores around the state that sell illicit cigarettes smuggled from overseas and that must also pay a $2000-a-month protection fee to one of the criminal syndicates.
Rumours had been circulating in the underworld for months that the Haddaras had been offered a safe way out of the worsening conflict if they offered to give up their interests in the tobacco market and make a sizeable payment to their rivals.
Underworld and police sources in February told The Age the Haddaras had been “backed into a corner” and lost support among their network of allies in the wake of Hamad’s brutal campaign.
Fadi Haddara, through his lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson, denied the allegations and said he had “no interest and has never had any interest in any tobacco store”.
“The assertions are not true and are ludicrous,” Garde-Wilson said on behalf of her client.
Hamad, whose exact whereabouts are unknown, could not be reached for comment.
The Haddaras’ apparent capitulation clears the way for Hamad to seize full control of the lucrative tobacco market, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
As part of the alleged deal, crime boss Fadi Haddara will keep control of family-linked businesses such as restaurants, function centres, an ice cream shop and a smash repair business.
Hamad has been waging a war on his personal and business enemies from Iraq after he was released from prison and deported from Australia in mid-2023.
The 39-year-old has allegedly assumed control of one of Australia’s most lucrative drug trafficking networks and used the massive profits from illicit tobacco to fund the rise of an ultra-violent new gangland crew.
The Hamad syndicate is suspected of being involved in dozens of violent incidents including extortion rackets, firebombings, shootings, and potentially two murders, including the execution of underworld player Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar, known as “Afghan Ali”, over whose death nobody has been charged.
Underworld sources say Hamad is also suspected of putting out a string of million-dollar-plus murder contracts on his personal and business enemies.
This includes a $2 million bounty on jailed Notorious Crime Family boss George Marrogi and a $1 million contract on former bikie and professional boxer Sam Abdulrahim, who has since gone overseas.
The surrender of the Haddara syndicate is likely to lead to a drop-off in the number of arson attacks staged against tobacco shops in metropolitan Melbourne and the regions.
The last fires occurred more than a week ago in Geelong.
Victoria Police has also put significant pressure on the warring syndicates through dozens of raids and arrests targeting illicit tobacco shops and the mid-tier organisers and soldiers who have been making extortion demands and conducting the firebombing campaign.
Haddara himself was arrested in December on weapons charges but has not been charged over any arson attacks. Sources say the police operation may have been an attempt to prevent a planned hit on Haddara.
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