Tobacco
Exclusive
Organised crime
He’s one of Australia’s most wanted criminals. This is why he’s untouchable
Police suspect Kazem Hamad is directing the Melbourne tobacco war firebombings, shootings and drug trafficking from Iraq. We reveal why they can’t bring him back to face justice.
- by Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola
Latest
Chop chop crackdown: Illegal tobacco sellers to face up to 15 years in prison
The Allan government also plans to establish a tobacco licensing scheme, after more than 100 firebombings targeting cigarette shops around the state.
- by Carla Jaeger, Rachel Eddie and Chris Vedelago
‘Tobacco wars not welcome in Perth’, police warn after Midland firebombing
In Melbourne, turf boundary wars between major crime players in the illicit tobacco trade has ignited a war that has resulted in 100 firebombings in the past two years.
- by Heather McNeill
Why smuggle it when you can grow it? The surge in illicit tobacco crops
Criminal syndicates are increasingly growing their own tobacco in secret farms as law enforcement cracks down on shipments coming in from overseas.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola
Updated
Courts
Alleged illegal tobacco syndicate ringleader granted bail despite trying to leave Australia
Nazir Haddara, the alleged ringleader of the $30 million syndicate, was arrested at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday as he was attempting to board a flight to Dubai.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola and Lachlan Abbott
Police arrest alleged leader of $30m crime syndicate but warn tobacco wars are here to stay
Police arrested 25-year-old boxer Nazir Haddara at Melbourne Airport as he attempted to board a flight to Dubai.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola and Cassandra Morgan
Exclusive
Federal budget
Budget bottom line goes up in smoke as black market reaps reward
Despite ever-increasing excise, tobacco taxes are falling short of forecasts and leaving a hole in the budget. Experts say a cut in tobacco tax may be needed.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Crime
How a failed bid to carve up Melbourne’s illegal tobacco trade sparked a violent war
A failed bid to form a “commission” among major crime players that would set turf boundaries and split profit from the lucrative illicit tobacco trade ignited a war that has resulted in 100 firebombings and escalating violence.
- by Chris Vedelago and Marta Pascual Juanola
‘When my time’s up, my time’s up’: How Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim became most hunted in Melbourne’s underworld
The boxer and ex-bikie has survived shootings, bashings and firebombings. There’s a $1 million bounty on his head. We find out why criminals and police say he’s made enemies everywhere.
- by Chris Vedelago
Vape-flation: prices have surged, but retailers are still flouting the ban
Two months after a ban on selling vapes outside pharmacies, this masthead visited a dozen tobacco and convenience stores across Sydney. All had vapes available on request.
- by Millie Muroi
Victorian tobacco war kingpin’s brother a crime ‘puppeteer’, police allege
Police say Maytham Hamad – the brother of ruthless Melbourne organised-crime kingpin Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad – is ‘a high-level co-ordinator of violence’.
- by Lachlan Abbott and Rebecca Peppiatt
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/tobacco-jqw