Court Reduces Sentence of Gangland Boss Tony Mokbel
Tony Mokbel, a former gangland figure involved in Melbourne's criminal underworld, has won a significant legal victory after a court cut his prison sentence for drug trafficking.
Background on Mokbel’s Conviction
Mokbel was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012 following his guilty plea to serious drug-related offenses. This sentence was later adjusted to a non-parole period of 22 years. Having served 18 years, he was released on bail in April.
Appeals and Legal Proceedings
Mokbel challenged his drug trafficking convictions linked to three police operations named Orbital, Magnum, and Quills. These appeals were partly triggered by revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, acted as a police informant.
- In the Quills operation, the Court of Appeal overturned Mokbel’s trafficking convictions and acquitted him.
- For the Orbital operation, the court ordered a new trial on his MDMA importation and trafficking charges.
- The Magnum case, involving his drug empire "The Company" and methylamphetamine trafficking overseas between 2006-2007, ended with his appeal being unsuccessful.
Latest Court Decision
On Thursday, Victoria’s Court of Appeal annulled the original 2012 sentence and replaced it with a reduced term of 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
"Tony Mokbel will not spend any more time in prison over a drug trafficking conviction."
His sentence reduction marks a dramatic shift in his legal standing after years of incarceration.
Summary: Tony Mokbel's prison term has been sharply reduced following court appeals influenced by police informant revelations, significantly changing the outcome of his drug trafficking convictions.