Victorian tobacco war kingpin’s brother a crime ‘puppeteer’,police allege

Victorian tobacco war kingpin’s brother a crime ‘puppeteer’,police allege

Police say Maytham Hamad – the brother of ruthless Melbourne organised-crime kingpin Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad – is ‘a high-level co-ordinator of violence’.

  • byLachlan Abbott andRebecca Peppiatt

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Fifty raids across Perth as alleged $10 million illegal tobacco business busted
Updated
Crime

Fifty raids across Perth as alleged $10 million illegal tobacco business busted

Nine people have been arrested and charged after a joint investigation allegedly unearthed a lucrative illegal tobacco business operating in WA.

  • byRebecca Peppiatt
‘No deterrent if no consequences’:Opposition wants people smugglers charged here

‘No deterrent if no consequences’:Opposition wants people smugglers charged here

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson says Australia should reserve the right to prosecute people smugglers when they’re caught here.

  • byAngus Thompson
Fire danger and bits from Bunnings:$50m border boats beset with problems

Fire danger and bits from Bunnings:$50m border boats beset with problems

Insiders claim Australian Border Force’s Cape-class boats are plagued with dangerous issues. An investigation has revealed one was out of action when a people-smuggling vessel landed in Western Australia.

  • byNick McKenzie,Zach Hope,Garry McNab andAmilia Rosa
People smugglers arrested,given free pass to help hunt bosses

People smugglers arrested,given free pass to help hunt bosses

An Indonesian people smuggler has revealed how he was caught by Australian authorities only to be released and sent home without charge.

  • byZach Hope,Amilia Rosa andNick McKenzie
Minister admits there are no detainee drones

Minister admits there are no detainee drones

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles made the sensational statement in an interview on Thursday during a bruising week for the government over immigration.

  • byAngus Thompson andOlivia Ireland
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Mothballing Nauru’s detention centre could save $250 million in a year

Mothballing Nauru’s detention centre could save $250 million in a year

Home Affairs expects the centre to move from an “active state” to “enduring capability” – empty but operated by a skeleton staff.

  • byOlivia Ireland,James Massola andAngus Thompson
Third boat arrival detected in a week,but no one taken to Nauru

Third boat arrival detected in a week,but no one taken to Nauru

Four Vietnamese asylum seekers intercepted by Border Force off the coast of Broome last week were detained after 38 people from two other boats were also picked up.

  • byAngus Thompson andJames Massola
People-smuggling boat carrying Chinese stopped en route to Australia

People-smuggling boat carrying Chinese stopped en route to Australia

The group was discovered near the city of Kupang,and believed to be heading to Australia.

  • byZach Hope andKaruni Rompies
It’s time to bin Australia’s intrusive Incoming Passenger Cards
Perspective
Brisbane Airport

It’s time to bin Australia’s intrusive Incoming Passenger Cards

Australia is one of the few developed nations in the world still using paper arrivals cards,even for its own citizens. It can be an intimidating experience.

  • byCameron Atfield
A drug trafficker,a burner phone and an open door at our border
Exclusive
Governance

A drug trafficker,a burner phone and an open door at our border

Law enforcement insiders are worried an anti-corruption probe into a highly sensitive Border Force unit has produced no public outcome.

  • byNick McKenzie