CANBERRA - The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Wednesday that its "number one target" has been arrested by authorities in Iraq.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in a statement that the alleged offshore offender was arrested by Iraqi officials, who launched their own criminal investigation after receiving information from the AFP.

Barrett said the target was a national security threat to Australia and that the arrest would be a significant disruption to his alleged criminal enterprise.

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The man has been identified by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as Kazem Hamad, also known as Kadhim Malik Hamad Rabah al-Hajami, who was deported from Australia to his native Iraq in 2023 after serving an eight-year jail term for drug trafficking offenses.

Iraq's National Center for International Judicial Cooperation said in a statement that the arrest was made in response to an official request from Australia.

It said that Hamad is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs into Iraq and Australia and is involved in organized crime activities in Australia and the Middle East, including murders, kidnappings, and violent assaults.

"The accused is one of the most dangerous wanted men in the world," the statement said.

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Nine Entertainment newspapers reported that police in the southeast Australian state of Victoria believe that Hamad and his gang have taken control of "large sections" of the illicit tobacco market in Melbourne.