The ex-partner of a tobacco war boss was stopped at the border. Her luggage was a luxury treasure trove
The ex-partner of tobacco war kingpin Kazem 'Kaz' Hamad has been arrested after she was intercepted at the airport allegedly carrying luxury watches and cash to the crime boss overseas.
Safa Abouhasna was stopped by Australian Border Force officers while boarding an international flight in March, clutching a gold Rolex. It was one of two high-end watches worth $130,000 found in her luggage, along with $10,000 worth of designer men's clothing and $US5000 cash.
The ABF tip-off came as Victoria Police probed the flow of underworld profits back to Hamad. Abouhasna has not been charged.
From exile in Iraq where he was deported in 2023, Hamad has waged a two-year campaign of firebombings and shootings across Melbourne to take control of Australia's multibillion dollar tobacco black market – including the suspected murders of underworld rivals such as boxer Sam 'The Punisher' Abdulrahim.
Recently, Hamad has united remaining players into a new cartel under his control, and raised his extortion 'tax' on hundreds of tobacco shops selling his illicit cigarettes to $5000 a month, with plans to expand into the lucrative vape market. But specialist police taskforce Lunar has been nipping at the heels of his network in Melbourne.
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Victoria Police said Abouhasna, 31, and her brother, 33, were arrested on Wednesday 'in connection to an offshore illicit tobacco syndicate leader involved in serious and organised crime'.
Abouhasna's brother has not been charged, and they are not accused of being involved in the tobacco business or the firebombings that have followed.
'Police are continuing to investigate whether these items [seized] were purchased through illicit wealth,' police said.
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