Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel's Drug Sentence Reduced
Tony Mokbel, Australia's most notorious gangster, has had his drug trafficking sentence cut from 20 years to 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days. This adjustment followed revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, acted as a police informant during Melbourne's gangland war.
Background of the Case
In 2012, Mokbel received a 30-year sentence for leading an extensive drug syndicate known as "The Company," linked to numerous murders dramatized in the TV series Underbelly. His legal troubles intensified when it was revealed Gobbo had been secretly providing information to the police while representing him and other gang members.
Legal Developments
- Mokbel served about 18 years in prison before being granted bail in April after successfully appealing his convictions.
- His legal team argued that if he had known about Gobbo's role as Informer 3838, he would not have pleaded guilty.
- The Court of Appeal addressed a third charge concerning trafficking more than 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007.
- Though the appeal on that charge was dismissed, his sentence was significantly reduced.
Court's Reasoning
The court acknowledged Mokbel's crimes as “very grave” but cited “unusual circumstances” in this case.
The justices also considered that Mokbel was a first-time drug offender and had sustained serious injuries while incarcerated.
Summary
Tony Mokbel's conviction was reexamined due to ethical breaches by his lawyer, resulting in a substantial reduction of his prison term despite the severity of his offenses.
Author's Summary
The discovery that Tony Mokbel’s lawyer secretly informed police led to his drug trafficking sentence being significantly reduced, highlighting complexities in legal ethics and criminal justice.