RESERVOIR, VIC. — The man shot dead in a late-night hit in Reservoir is a relative of a key figure in Kazem Hamad’s criminal organisation, VicNews can reveal.
A relative of a figure in Kazem Hamad’s criminal empire has been gunned down in a gangland-style killing in Melbourne’s north
The 55-year-old man shot dead on Mahoneys Rd in Reservoir was Elias Serevetas, a relative of George “Snowman Adam” Serevetas, who is a standover man for Hamad.
Homicide squad detectives were at the scene on Wednesday as they investigated the ambush, in which Serevetas, from Richmond, was shot in the head five times at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.
A car later found torched at Robinvale Avenue at Thomastown is suspected of being the getaway car used by the gunman.
No arrests have been made.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
George Serevetas was charged with extorting a Glenroy tobacco store owner via WhatsApp and making repeated demands for cash payments of $5000 in March 2024.
Alongside two counts of extortion, he was also charged over a string of petrol drive-offs and speeding offences.
Those charges were dropped; however, he was jailed in early 2020 for commercial drug trafficking.
The murder comes at a time of extreme volatility in the Hamad 313 empire, with its ruthless leader locked up in a foreign prison.
Mohammed Al-Bdairi was shot dead at Wollert earlier this month in a slaying suspected of being linked to factional infighting.
Al-Bdairi, who had been a senior member of the Hamad crew, was ambushed by a killer who kicked his front door in and shot him in the face.
There have been other violent incidents and firebombings with suspected links to the internal friction.
Hamad was arrested late last year in Iraq on high-level drug charges.
He has since been jailed for life, and police suspect his lieutenants are now fighting for control of the syndicate.
The gang has made billions from illicit tobacco, drugs and standover rackets since Hamad was released from a Victorian prison and deported in mid-2023.
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner said as early as February this year that splits were emerging in their ranks.
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
