Court Slashes Gangland Boss’ Sentence
Former gangland figure Tony Mokbel achieved a significant legal victory after a court declared he would not serve additional prison time for a drug trafficking conviction.
Mokbel, once a central figure in Melbourne’s notorious gangland wars, had initially been sentenced in 2012 to 30 years behind bars for serious drug-related crimes. His non-parole period was later reduced to 22 years. Having served 18 years, he was released on bail in April.
Several appeals followed, targeting convictions from three major police operations — Orbital, Magnum, and Quills. These appeals were triggered by revelations that Mokbel’s former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had been acting as a secret police informant.
Details of the Appeals
- Quills operation: The Court of Appeal quashed the convictions and acquitted Mokbel of all trafficking charges.
- Orbital operation: The court set aside earlier convictions related to MDMA importation and trafficking, ordering a retrial.
- Magnum case: Involving the running of his international drug network, “The Company,” during 2006–2007, the court dismissed Mokbel’s appeal.
On Thursday, Victoria’s Court of Appeal officially revoked the original 2012 sentence and replaced it with a reduced term of 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
“Mokbel will not return to jail following the dramatic decision to slash his sentence,” the court confirmed.
Author’s Summary
Mokbel’s latest ruling drastically shortens his sentence, marking a major turn in his long legal battle following the Nicola Gobbo scandal.