Exiled gangland boss linked to Victoria’s tobacco wars arrested in Iraq

An exiled underworld boss connected to Victoria’s ongoing tobacco wars has been arrested in Iraq.

Kazem “Kaz” Hamad was arrested on behalf of Australian law enforcement authorities for alleged drug trafficking, according to a statement from the Iraq’s National Centre for International Judicial Cooperation on Monday night.

The accused is “one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world”, the statement alleges.

The Australian Federal Police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, released a statement on Tuesday that did not name Hamad but detailed efforts to find an “alleged offshore offender”, who the statement accused of being a “number one target” and a “national security threat to this country”.

Read more: The Guardian (UK)