An alleged key figure in Australia's illegal tobacco trade faces the prospect of a summer behind bars after a Perth court delayed his bail application and police confiscated another of his luxury vehicles.
Luxury Assets Targeted in Police Crackdown
Maytham Hamad, 31, appeared via videolink from Hakea Prison for two brief hearings in Perth Magistrates Court on Monday. The proceedings centred on the confiscation of his high-value Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, valued at over $200,000, and the adjournment of his bid for release on bail.
Police seized the boxy, conspicuous SUV in June 2024 and held it for a full year before returning it to Mr Hamad. He drove it for a short period before selling it. Authorities have since seized parts of the profits from that sale. A lawyer for WA Police told the court the money needed to be preserved as evidence and expressed concerns it could be used for further alleged offences.
Court Proceedings and New Charges
Mr Hamad is taking civil action against the WA Commissioner of Police over the seizure of the G-Wagon, a vehicle popular with celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The court adjourned this civil matter until February 9, 2025.
In a separate hearing, his bail application was vacated, despite his lawyers previously indicating a desire to proceed quickly. He also faced a new charge of failing to comply with a police requirement on November 18, relating to a request for information to determine if property could be seized.
Both his State and Commonwealth charges were adjourned to February 13, 2025. Mr Hamad was remanded in custody last month, charged with a serious Commonwealth offence for allegedly running an illicit tobacco and money laundering network spanning Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Allegations of a Multi-Million Dollar Network
Police allege Mr Hamad oversaw a retail network of stores in the Perth suburbs of Armadale, Byford, High Wycombe, and Medina. They claim he sent cash profits interstate using nominee bank accounts, encrypted messaging apps, and postal deliveries.
Investigators say they intercepted nine parcels containing about $1.7 million in alleged crime proceeds between August and September this year. They further allege that more than 45 parcels containing over $8 million were sent to Victoria.
This investigation is part of a national probe into a string of fire bombings and shootings in WA. As part of this wider operation, authorities have previously seized two Lamborghinis and other luxury items from Mr Hamad.
His older brother, Kazem Hamad, remains a wanted man, exiled from Australia and subject to an arrest warrant. Outside court, Mr Hamad's defence counsel, Farris Faris, hinted the bail application might be heard sooner than the February adjournment date.
