Underworld and police sources in February toldThe Age the Haddaras had been “backed into a corner” and lost support among their network of allies in the wake of Hamad’s brutal campaign.
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Fadi Haddara,through his lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson,denied the allegations and said he had “no interest and has never had any interest in any tobacco store”.
“The assertions are not true and are ludicrous,” Garde-Wilson said on behalf of her client.
Hamad,whose exact whereabouts are unknown,could not be reached for comment.
The Haddaras’ apparent capitulation clears the way for Hamad to seize full control of the lucrative tobacco market,which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
As part of the alleged deal,crime boss Fadi Haddara will keep control of family-linked businesses such as restaurants,function centres,an ice cream shop and a smash repair business.
Hamad has been waging a war on his personal and business enemies from Iraq after he was released from prison and deported from Australia in mid-2023.
The 39-year-old has allegedly assumed control of one of Australia’s most lucrative drug trafficking networks and used the massive profits from illicit tobacco to fund the rise of an ultra-violent new gangland crew.
The Hamad syndicate is suspected of being involved in dozens of violent incidents including extortion rackets,firebombings,shootings,and potentially two murders,including the execution of underworld player Mohammed Akbar Keshtiar,known as “Afghan Ali”,over whose death nobody has been charged.
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Underworld sources say Hamad is also suspected of putting out a string of million-dollar-plus murder contracts on his personal and business enemies.
This includes a $2 million bounty on jailed Notorious Crime Family boss George Marrogi and a $1 million contract on former bikie and professional boxer Sam Abdulrahim,who has since gone overseas.
The surrender of the Haddara syndicate is likely to lead to a drop-off in the number of arson attacks staged against tobacco shops in metropolitan Melbourne and the regions.
The last fires occurred more than a week ago in Geelong.
Victoria Police has also put significant pressure on the warring syndicates through dozens of raids and arrests targeting illicit tobacco shops and the mid-tier organisers and soldiers who have been making extortion demands and conducting the firebombing campaign.
Haddara himself was arrested in December on weapons charges but has not been charged over any arson attacks. Sources say the police operation may have been an attempt to prevent a planned hit on Haddara.
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