Unusual details in arrest photos of Tobacco War kingpin Kaz Hamad in Iraq raise key question
Bizarre photos taken of an Australian crime kingpin following his arrest in Iraq have sparked speculation the images have been digitally altered by artificial technology.
Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad, who is believed to have been directing organised crime operations in Australia from the Middle East, was arrested for drug trafficking in January.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) shared images on Wednesday of Hamad in custody in a secret location, with permission of the National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation in Iraq.
In one of the photos, a sullen Hamad is shown holding a printed sign with personal and arrest details in Arabic.
However the images appear to have some concerning discrepancies, with many questioning if they had been digitally altered.
The height chart is out of sequence and scale, indicating Hamad could be up to nine feet tall.
He also appears to have five fingers on one or both hands – with no thumbs pictured.
A supplied translation of the sign references his alias of Abu Samir and that he was born in Nasiriya, about 360km from the capital of Baghdad.
This mug shot of Kazem Hamad appears to have been digitally altered
The other photo shows him wearing a bright yellow long-sleeve top with a black undershirt in front of a white wall
It suggests Hamad, who was deported from Australia in 2023, was arrested on January 21 despite news of his arrest breaking a week earlier.
The other photo shows him wearing a bright yellow long-sleeve top with a black undershirt in front of a white wall.
The Daily Mail understands the images published by the AFP were as provided by the Iraqi authorities.
Australian police are supporting Iraq’s independent investigation and providing relevant operational information relating to crimes they believe Hamad or his syndicate have committed or directed in Australia.
The AFP travelled to Iraq last week to provide further assistance, with ‘key investigative information’ shared.
Iraq has the death penalty for drug trafficking and Australia does not have a direct extradition treaty with Iraq.
Hamad’s syndicate is suspected to have been behind high-profile fire-bombings in Victoria while fighting for control of importation and distribution of illegal tobacco.
In March, police revealed several tobacco store owners were intimidated with threats linked to a so-called ‘Kaz Tax’.
Hamad (left) at the AFL with ex-Bandido bikie Toby Mitchell (centre) and Mongol bikie Tyrone Bell (right)
Hamad (right) had been living the good life in Australia before he was deported
Kaz Hamad (left) and former bikie Toby Mitchell (right) in happier days
Police also believe Hamad may have been involved in an arson attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024 and the death of Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim.
Hamad has also been linked to the botched firebombing of a Melbourne apartment that led to the death of Katie Tangey, who was house-sitting for her brother when the three-storey building caught fire.
Hamad and his syndicate, suspected of operating in five states and one territory in Australia, remain a focus of a task force called Operation Carmen.
His arrest, a lack of leadership and infighting within the syndicate was creating new opportunities for investigators, AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett said.
‘I want every offender connected to Hamad or his syndicate to look long and hard at this photo. And I want to be very clear – just because Hamad is in custody, the AFP’s job is not done,’ she said.
