Australian gangster Tony Mokbel gets reduced drug sentence
Australia’s most notorious gangster Tony Mokbel has received a reduced prison term after revelations that his former lawyer acted as a police informant during Melbourne’s gangland conflicts.
Background of the Case
Mokbel was originally sentenced in 2012 to 30 years in prison for orchestrating a large-scale drug trafficking ring through his criminal group, known as “The Company.” The organization was linked to multiple killings later portrayed in the television series “Underbelly.”
Informant Scandal
The case shifted dramatically when it emerged that Mokbel’s well-known lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had secretly provided information to police while defending clients.
“His legal team argued he wouldn’t have pleaded guilty had he known about Gobbo’s double life as Informer 3838.”
Appeal and Sentence Reduction
After serving around 18 years, Mokbel was released on bail in April, pending appeal. The Court of Appeal reviewed one charge involving the trafficking of over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007.
Although the court dismissed the appeal, it reduced his original 20-year sentence to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days. The judges called the crimes very serious but acknowledged the exceptional circumstances, including Mokbel’s injuries in prison and his lack of prior drug convictions.
“The court noted Mokbel’s crimes were very grave but recognized unusual circumstances in the case.”
Author’s Summary
Tony Mokbel’s sentence reduction highlights the far-reaching consequences of lawyer Nicola Gobbo’s informant scandal and its impact on Australia’s justice system.