Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara hit with gun charges
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Police have charged alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara with possessing a traffickable amount of firearms, following an investigation into a series of gun and drug incidents in Melbourne’s western suburbs last year.
The 45-year-old was arrested by detectives from Victoria Police’s designated illicit tobacco taskforce last Friday over two separate incidents involving firearms in 2022, and later charged with a string of weapon offences.
Alleged gangland boss Fadi Haddara.
Haddara has been charged with possessing a traffickable number of firearms, possessing firearms despite being a prohibited person, possessing firearms in contravention of a firearm prohibition order, affray and handling stolen goods.
He has been bailed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in January.
The 45-year-old is subject to a firearm prohibition order that prevents him from having or obtaining guns, and allows police officers to search him and those in his vicinity without a warrant.
Police claim they found three handguns and a homemade rifle at the premises next to Haddara’s former home on September 13 and 14 last year. The guns have since been forensically tested.
Fadi Haddara has been charged following an investigation into a series of gun and drug incidents.Credit: Facebook
Investigators allege that Haddara was involved in a fight with a 40-year-old tobacco shop owner in Altona North just over two months later, on November 29, which ended with the man discharging a firearm. No one was injured during the incident.
Officers also arrested a 41-year-old man from Delahey and a 49-year-old man from Altona Meadows on Friday as part of the investigation.
The 49-year-old was charged with failing to appear in court while on bail and pleaded guilty at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday. The 41-year-old was interviewed and released pending further enquiries.
An alleged underworld figure with long-standing ties to the illicit tobacco taskforce, Haddara has been linked to wide-scale drug trafficking and violence.
A police intelligence report describes the Haddara syndicate as one of the largest operators in the illicit tobacco market in Victoria, including importing and distribution.
Victoria Police did not directly link the arrest and charges to the illicit tobacco trade, but in a statement released to the media the force said: “Taskforce Lunar detectives are looking at these matters as part of the overall investigation into the current dispute in relation to illicit tobacco given the parties involved.”
The taskforce was launched in early October to tackle the explosion in violent crime that erupted this year between rival Middle Eastern organised crime syndicates vying for control of the illicit tobacco trade. More than 30 tobacco shops and other businesses, including two Docklands restaurants linked to Haddara, have been firebombed since March.
One of the syndicates is headed by ruthless kingpin Kazem “Kaz” Hamad, a 39-year-old career criminal who police believe has been running a major organised crime gang from Dubai and other sanctuaries overseas after being deported from Australia earlier this year.
“Investigators continue to appeal to anyone, especially store owners and staff, who has information about these incidents and who is responsible to come forward,” police said in a statement.
Anyone with information about these incidents or with further information about illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
Most Viewed in National
From our partners
Source: Read Full Article