Podcast Summary: The Rise and Fall of One of Australia’s Most Powerful Criminals
The Morning Edition, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Julia Karkatzel (filling in for Samantha Selinger-Morris)
Guest: Chris Vedolago (Senior Reporter)
Overview
This gripping episode investigates the meteoric rise and dramatic downfall of Kazem Hamad—one of Australia’s most powerful and feared underworld figures. The conversation explores how Hamad exploited Australia’s illicit tobacco trade, orchestrated a violent criminal empire, and ultimately landed in Iraqi custody. Senior reporter Chris Vedolago unpacks not only Hamad’s criminal rise and network but the broader consequences for Melbourne’s underworld and the effectiveness of new crackdowns.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kazam Hamad’s Rapid Rise and Criminal Influence
[01:13]
- Background: Hamad emigrated from Iraq at age 14 and quickly became entrenched in criminal activity, first being arrested for heroin trafficking in 2015.
- Prison Transformation: While serving his eight-year sentence, Hamad expanded his criminal influence and emerged from prison vastly more powerful.
- “Somebody can be a high security prisoner that goes out 10 times more powerful than they went in.” – Chris Vedolago [01:29]
- Strategy: Hamad identified Australia’s high tobacco taxes as an opportunity:
- “He realized if he applied a lot of pressure really fast, he could take control of the market, intimidate rivals... through a succession of dozens of firebombings and... a few murders, he basically forced a new order.” – Chris Vedolago [01:55]
2. The Melbourne Tobacco Wars Explained
[02:39]
- Illicit Market Dynamics: Australia’s high tobacco taxes led to a thriving illegal trade, with profits protected by minimal legal repercussions compared to drugs like cocaine.
- Extortion Model: Syndicates, under Hamad’s influence, would strong-arm shop owners into paying “protection tax,” escalating violence when demands were resisted.
- “You want to work here, you pay the tax, you buy the cigarettes off us. You don't listen, your place gets burned… again. You don't listen and you get shot.” – Chris Vedolago [04:29]
- Expansion: The model spread nationwide, with thousands of illicit tobacconists paying into Hamad’s network.
- Brazen Operations: Many shops openly sold illegal products without concern for enforcement.
3. Collateral Damage: Escalating Violence and Innocent Victims
[05:59]
- Firebombings and Shootings: Initial attacks slowly escalated, peaking in 2023 with multiple incidents weekly.
- High-profile Murders: Rivals like Sam “The Punisher” Abdul Rahim were targeted, with numerous attempts culminating in his murder in January 2025.
- Tragic Mistakes: Civilians were also harmed, including the mistaken murder of Katie Tangy.
- “...Katie Tangy's heartbroken mother says she's lost her best friend, a beautiful soul who was happiest on stage.” – Chris Vedolago [06:44]
4. Hamad’s Exile and Arrest in Iraq
[07:52]
- Deportation: On finishing his Australian sentence in July 2023, Hamad was deported to Iraq, briefly moved to Dubai, then returned to Iraq after Dubai expelled him.
- Running the Empire Remotely: He lived in a fortified Baghdad compound, continuing to orchestrate his crime network in Australia.
- “His business model was very much to run the syndicate or the crime empire from Iraq, but it was focused on Australia.” – Chris Vedolago [08:31]
- Untouchable No More: In a surprise move, Iraqi authorities—armed with intelligence from Australia—arrested Hamad for serious drug offences potentially punishable by death.
- “The Judicial Council of Iraq... arrested him on drug trafficking charges... which changed the entire game.” – Chris Vedolago [09:55]
5. The Uncertain Future: Extradition or Prosecution?
[10:47]
- Legal Complexity: Without an extradition treaty, Australia faces a convoluted process if it seeks Hamad’s return. Iraqi prosecution or bribery enabling his escape remain possible.
- Official Sentiment: Australian police reportedly prefer for Iraq to handle Hamad due to his extraordinary influence in Australian prisons.
- “Last time he was in Australia and in a high security prison, he was... almost unmanageable... almost unmanageable in the sense that he was able to build an empire under the nose of Corrections Victoria...” – Chris Vedolago [11:22]
6. Will Hamad’s Arrest Dismantle the Syndicate?
[12:27]
- Decentralized Criminal Networks: Hamad’s organization is designed to survive leadership losses; operations are distributed internationally with leaders in different countries.
- “This isn't just some kind of garage operation... they decentralized the organization... to prevent law enforcement... from taking out the entire operation at once.” – Chris Vedolago [12:57]
- Persistence of Organized Crime: The arrest won’t collapse the syndicate immediately; the system and its operators remain intact.
- “They are feared, they are well motivated, they are extraordinarily well resourced. And the idea that this is all just going to topple over like a Hollywood movie. It just doesn't. I don't see it.” – Chris Vedolago [12:07, 13:46]
7. Upcoming Government Crackdown – New Tobacco Laws
[13:49]
- Licensing Mandate: From February 1, every tobacco seller in Victoria must be licensed; new inspectors will seek to shut down illicit outlets.
- Challenges: Limited enforcement capacity (only 14 inspectors for 8000 tobacco retailers) and adaptability of syndicates mean illicit trade is likely to move further underground.
- “They’ve put in a substantial amount of work on building an infrastructure... the idea that this thing is going to topple over on itself overnight, I just don’t see it.” – Chris Vedolago [13:46]
- “Things are not going to be as blatant as they were. The signs are going to come down, they're going to be a little bit more subtle.” – Chris Vedolago [15:21]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You want to work here, you pay the tax, you buy the cigarettes off us. You don't listen, your place gets burned… again. You don't listen and you get shot.” – Chris Vedolago [04:29]
- “This isn't just some kind of garage operation... they decentralized the organization... to prevent law enforcement... from taking out the entire operation at once.” – Chris Vedolago [12:57]
- “They are feared, they are well motivated, they are extraordinarily well resourced. And the idea that this is all just going to topple over like a Hollywood movie. It just doesn't. I don't see it.” – Chris Vedolago [13:46]
Important Timestamps
- 01:13 — Hamad’s background and rise to underworld power
- 02:39 — Overview of the tobacco black market in Australia
- 05:59 — Escalations in violence and innocent casualties
- 07:52 — Reasons for Hamad’s move to Iraq
- 09:55 — Details on his arrest by Iraqi authorities
- 10:47 — Extradition/prosecution dilemmas
- 12:27 — Organizational resilience after Hamad’s arrest
- 13:49 — Upcoming tobacco licensing crackdown and its limits
Tone
This episode maintains a sober, investigative tone. Chris Vedolago delivers insights with authority, often punctuated by dry, matter-of-fact observations about the shortcomings of Australia’s criminal justice and enforcement systems, as well as the calculated brutality of underworld operations. Host Julia Karkatzel keeps the discussion grounded and probing, ensuring the complexity and gravity of the issue comes through.
For more in-depth journalism, visit smh.com.au or theage.com.au.