The tobacco wars, and rise of a ruthless new kingpin - a podcast by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

For months, Melbourne’s underworld has been plagued by escalating violence. Bashings, a public execution, even the desecration of the grave of one crime boss’ sister.

Firebombings have also become increasingly common, whereby shops are set alight and gutted by flames. One of the main targets: tobacco stores. So many have been hit, that a new era of gangland warfare in Melbourne has gained its own moniker: the “tobacco wars”.

For more than eight years, my colleague, law and justice editor Chris Vedelago has been following one of the men who is understood to be at the centre of these wars. Because of suppression orders put in place by a court, his identity and actions could never be released. Until now.

Today, Chris Vedelago joins Sam to discuss the rise of Kazem Hamad - and the illegal tobacco trade fuelling Melbourne’s underworld violence.

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