Victoria's tobacco kingpin is in jail, but violence still grips the state

The illicit tobacco war in Victoria, Australia, continues to fuel violence, with criminal gangs fighting for control of the black market. Even small country towns like Mooroopna, located hours from Melbourne, have become entangled in the conflict.

In late 2025 and early 2026, tobacco shops in Mooroopna were repeatedly targeted. One shop on MacIsaac Road was rammed twice, and in the new year, another tobacconist on McLennan Street was ram-raided and subsequently firebombed. A few weeks later, a third shop in the same strip was also set alight.

These attacks occurred despite the arrest of Kazem Hamad, an alleged kingpin in the illicit tobacco trade, by Iraqi authorities in January. Hamad, who had been deported from Australia after a heroin trafficking conviction, was considered one of the most dangerous wanted men. His arrest was hoped to disrupt his cartel's operations in Australia.

However, Hamad's imprisonment has failed to quell the violence. His 313 syndicate, also known as The Commission, is allegedly still active, with lieutenants stepping in to maintain his operations. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) report that the syndicate is involved in murder, extortion, shootings, and kidnappings across five states and one territory. Hamad himself was recently sentenced to life in prison by an Iraqi court.

“

significant disruption