By Chris Vedelago, Marta Pascual Juanola, Nick McKenzie and Alex Crowe
Underworld figure and professional boxer Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim was targeted in a murder attempt after allegedly joining forces with an interstate gang to gain control of a slice of Victoria’s billion-dollar illicit tobacco market.
Abdulrahim was lucky to escape injury after bullets were sprayed at him outside his Thomastown home in the early hours of Friday morning. Police are investigating whether Abdulrahim was lured outside to be executed, while going to help his parents, whose car had been set on fire in Brunswick. But Abdulrahim fought back, ramming his car into the gunman’s BMW and chasing them from the scene.
Former Mongols bikie and professional boxer Suleiman “Sam” Abdulrahim. Credit: Instagram
The underworld was abuzz with rumours that the attempted hit was ordered by ruthless kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, who has emerged as one of the key players in the so-called “tobacco wars” since his deportation to Iraq in mid-2023.
Last month, The Age reported the two main players in the violent feud had reached a truce after the Haddara crime family allegedly agreed to hand over control of its illicit tobacco empire and $1 million to Hamad following a relentless months-long firebombing campaign.
Four underworld and police sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Abdulrahim had played a key role in the Melbourne revival of the gang Brothers 4 Life and was trying to muscle back into the lucrative market after several businesses connected to him were firebombed in the past year.
The sources said the gang has been operating out of a cafe in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
“He’s become Brothers 4 Life. He’s desperate to be a part of something,” an underworld source said.
Brothers 4 Life was founded in Sydney in 2007 by members of the notorious Hamzy family. The gang rose to notoriety following a series of deadly shootings and a long-running feud with the rival Alameddine crime network in NSW.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Graham Banks said intelligence suggested players from Sydney’s underworld had infiltrated the Victorian tobacco market.
“There’s multiple organised crime people that are connected with each other that were looking to take on a group such as the one that may have a figurehead overseas,” Banks said.
“To take on that sort of group they would need to align themselves with other people to get that strength in numbers and put a fear factor back in the group they are looking to target.”
Banks said the recent arson attacks were the result of fresh extortion attempts on previously untouched shops, and crime groups trying to capture a share of the Hamad-dominated market.
“Certainly anyone who’s taking on this particular syndicate is more than aware that there are people who are capable of committing murder, and we’ll be tasked for that type of crime,” Banks said.
“That’s how serious it is and that’s why one of the simple things we can do is try to get rid of the market and hopefully reduce the risk to the community.”
Hamad is suspected by authorities of calling the shots from a safe haven abroad and has moved between Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern destinations while allegedly running an illegal tobacco empire estimated to be generating hundreds of millions of dollars.
Investigators shut off part of the suburban Thomastown street on Friday morning as plainclothes and uniformed officers scoured the road outside Abdulrahim’s home. Forensic investigators combing the street for evidence marked several locations where bullet casings had been discarded.
An elderly neighbour said she had been woken by a loud noise about 3am. The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said her husband avoided the end of the street where the shooting had taken place when he went for a walk.
“Police are working to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and investigations are ongoing,” a spokeswoman said.
Officers are also investigating two car fires connected to Abdulrahim, which occurred about 3am on Friday outside a home on Barrow Street in Brunswick.
In February, this masthead reported police had warned Abdulrahim that there was a contract on his life and advised him against fighting at an upcoming boxing match.
Two separate venues due to host the fight were later firebombed, causing extensive damage to the buildings and prompting organisers to cancel the bout.
Four businesses connected to Abdulrahim have also been torched over the past year, including a Moonee Ponds tobacco and vape store that was targeted three times.
Friday’s shooting is not the first time an attempt that has been made on Abdulrahim’s life.
The boxer survived being shot eight times while driving in a funeral procession outside the Fawkner cemetery in June 2022. The gunmen responsible allegedly fled overseas before they could be arrested.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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