<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>New mugshots of Melbourne's alleged tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad under arrest in Iraq have been released today by the Australian Federal Police.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hamad, accused of launching the city's tobacco war, was arrested by Iraqi authorities investigating drug trafficking before being moved to a secret location.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He has been described as "one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world" in a press release from Iraqi law enforcement officials.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/senate-estimates-2026-afp-hate-disrupter-squads-launched-amid-poisoning-of-kids-minds/93229280-255d-480b-9e5a-c2061b053310" rel="" target="_blank" title="AFP 'hate disrupter squads' launched amid 'poisoning' of kids' minds"><strong><span>AFP 'hate disrupter squads' launched amid 'poisoning' of kids' minds</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They accuse him of being linked to crimes including "shootings, murders, kidnappings, violent assaults, extortion and drug imports".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AFP accuse the 41-year-old of pulling the strings of the illegal tobacco trade in Australia since he was deported to the Middle East in 2023.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hamad's crime syndicate is believed to be operating in five Australian states and one territory.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/tobacco-kingpin-kazem-kaz-hamad-held-in-iraq/5cbedafb-174e-46e3-86fb-2be91dbf964c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AFP investigation into Hamad and his syndicate, Operation Carmen, continues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's also alleged he's behind dozens of firebombings that have been terrorising businesses across the country.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ai-at-work-policy-termination-exclusive-poll/428a1505-b2e9-45e8-918d-14cdbe630b8a"><strong><span>Why thousands of Aussie workers could be risking termination</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The AFP says it is supporting the Iraqi investigation and has sent officers to the Middle East to help them as recently as last week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says the capture of Hamad has disrupted his crime syndicate and should be a warning for Australia's underworld.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Due to Hamad's arrest, a lack of leadership, infighting, and dysfunction within the syndicate is creating new opportunities for investigators attached to Operation Carmen," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The AFP will use every partnership, capability, and legislative power to dismantle this dangerous syndicate and identify every single individual who is linked to this crime gang."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google 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