Maytham Hamad: Brother of exiled tobacco kingpin Kazem Hamad has luxury SUV confiscated, bail bid put on ice

An alleged illegal tobacco figure has had another luxury vehicle confiscated and looks set to spend most of the summer behind bars after putting his bail bid on ice. Maytham Hamad was remanded in custody last month after being charged with a serious Commonwealth offence, accused of running an illicit tobacco and money laundering network across WA, Victoria and NSW. The 31-year-old — who had two Lamborghinis and other luxury items seized as part of a national investigation into a string of fire bombings and shootings in WA — appeared at two brief Perth Magistrates Court hearings in quick succession on Monday. Watching on via videolink from Hakea Prison, he had a first hearing for civil proceedings he’s taking against the WA Commissioner of Police over the confiscation of his luxury Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon worth more than $200,000. The G-Wagon — a vehicle of choice for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Arnold Schwarzenegger — was seized by police in June last year and held for 12 months before being returned to Mr Hamad. The conspicuous, boxy SUV was originally a military vehicle but gained global fame when it was used as a Popemobile by John Paul II, then achieved celebrity status with rapper Drake, footballer Christiano Ronaldo and reality TV star Kylie Jenner getting behind the wheel. After his G-Wagon was returned by police, Mr Hamad drove the vehicle for a short period but then sold it for an undisclosed sum. Parts of those profits have since been seized by police. A lawyer representing WA Police told the court the Commissioner’s position was that the seized money needed to be preserved as evidence. Also, they had concerns it could be used for further offending. The lawyer said the investigating officer would provide an affidavit outlining the purpose of the seizure to the court. The case was adjourned to February 9. Mr Hamad then had a bail application hearing vacated - despite his lawyers last week indicating he was keen to have it heard as soon as possible — but had one count of failing to comply with a requirement heard for the first time. The court was told he refused to give information to a police officer on November 18 to help them determine whether property could be seized. He confirmed he understood the charge and looked downcast as both the State and Commonwealth charges were adjourned to February 13. It is alleged Mr Hamad oversaw a retail network of stores in Armadale, Byford, High Wycombe and Medina, and sent the cash profits interstate “using nominee accounts, encrypted messaging and postal deliveries”. Between August and September, police say they intercepted nine parcels containing about $1.7m in proceeds of crime. They further allege that more than 45 parcels containing more than $8m were sent to Victoria. Outside court, asked about the long adjournment, defence counsel Farris Faris hinted the bail application could be brought on sooner.