Kazem Hamad: Questions remain over whether mugshots of Australian tobacco kingpin were digitally altered

Questions have been raised over the credibility of a mugshot showing alleged tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad’s apparent fall from grace after he was arrested by authorities in Iraq. Small details in the images shared to media by the Australian Federal Police show Kazem Hamad, 41, standing in front of a height chart which describes him as being 8’9”. The heights listed on the chart are not in sequence, raising suspicion that the background could have been digitally altered. A spokesperson for the AFP said the photos were supplied by Iraqi authorities before being published. The AFP did not respond to questions about whether the photos were verified before being shared. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, in a statement supplied with the photos, said they were released with permission from the national centre for international judicial cooperation in Iraq. The booking placard Hamad is pictured holding, after being translated from Arabic, describes his offence type as relating to a drug investigation. Another photo of Hamad shows the tobacco kingpin appearing dishevelled and wide-eyed in a yellow jumpsuit, which does not appear to be digitally altered. “The AFP released images to the media which were supplied by Iraqi authorities, who have Hamad in their custody in a secret location,” a spokesperson said. “The AFP has no further comment.” The larger image of Hamad in a yellow jumpsuit is in stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle he became accustomed to while allegedly running his empire. A widely circulated photo of the underworld boss leaning against a Lamborghini sports car, paints a picture of his life prior to being detained — one of a few publicly available pictures of the infamous figure. Kazem Hamad and his associates are being investigated by the Australian Federal Police over firebombings and violence linked to the illicit tobacco trade. As a result of Hamad’s arrest in Iraq and the publication of the photos, Commissioner Barrett sent a direct message to his associates. “I want every offender connected to Hamad or his syndicate to look long and hard at this photo,” she said. “And I want to be very clear – just because Hamad is in custody, the AFP’s job is not done.” Hamad has been painted as Australia’s illicit tobacco king by police amid allegations he’s involved in the importation of millions of illegal cigarettes and orchestrating the violence associated with their sale across the country. Commissioner Barrett claimed Hamad’s arrest had sparked bitter in-fighting within his syndicate. “The AFP again travelled to Iraq last week to provide further assistance,” she said. “Key investigative information was also shared with the AFP. “While the Iraqi investigation continues, the AFP remains committed to Operation Carmen, our investigation into Hamad and his syndicate. “The AFP suspects the syndicate is operating in five states and one territory in Australia. “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. “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.” Commissioner Barrett said the AFP was working closely with state and territory police. Officers from Operation Carmen are assisting Iraqi authorities after they “independently” made a decision to arrest him in January. Commissioner Barrett said Hamad was held at a “secret location” in Iraq. An Iraqi citizen, Hamad was deported from Australia in mid-2023. He was sent back to Iraq, which he fled when he was 14. The publication of his mugshot comes as WA Police continue to hunt offenders responsible for a tobacco shop fire linked to the illicit trade. Ahmed Jarrar arrived at his business, Freechoice Mart, in Kelmscott to discover his store had been severely damaged on Tuesday morning. It is understood police believe a car was used to create an entry point to the shop before fuel was poured inside the store and set alight about 3.30am. Detectives from Taskforce Maverick are treating the arson attack as linked to the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco. Mr Jarrar claimed two men previously arrived at his store last Friday afternoon threatening to burn down the shop he opened just weeks ago, unless he shut it down. It is understood police made multiple attempts to warn Mr Jarrar about the threats posed by organised crime groups, including by visiting his store a day before the threat and by calling him on Monday — just one day before the arson attack. WA Police said nobody had been arrested over the latest blaze on Wednesday afternoon.