Alleged tobacco kingpin Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad has been arrested in Iraq - what happens next?
The Conversation • • world
Key Points:
- Iraqi authorities have arrested Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, deemed one of the world's most dangerous men and alleged kingpin of Australia's illicit tobacco trade, linked to violent turf wars involving arson, extortion, and multiple murders.
- Hamad's arrest is seen as a victory for Australian law enforcement but may trigger increased violence as rival criminal groups vie for control of the lucrative illicit tobacco market, valued at up to A$7 billion.
- Historical precedents, such as the death of Pablo Escobar, suggest that removing a crime leader often leads to shifts in criminal operations rather than a long-term reduction in illicit trade or consumption.
- The persistence of Australia's illicit tobacco market is driven by high demand for nicotine, exorbitant legal
