Court Dramatically Reduces Gangland Boss' Sentence
Former Melbourne gangland figure Tony Mokbel has achieved a major legal victory after the court decided he will not serve additional prison time for drug trafficking convictions.
Background on Sentencing
Mokbel, a central figure in Melbourne’s gangland conflicts, was originally sentenced in 2012 to 30 years’ imprisonment following guilty pleas to serious drug offenses. This sentence was later reduced to a non-parole period of 22 years. After serving 18 years, he was granted bail in April.
Appeals and Legal Developments
Mokbel's appeals attacked convictions linked to three police operations—Orbital, Magnum, and Quills—triggered by the revelation that his lawyer Nicola Gobbo acted as a police informant.
- In a recent judgment, the Court of Appeal overturned Mokbel's trafficking convictions related to the Quills operation and acquitted him.
- The court ordered a new trial for importing and trafficking MDMA tied to the Orbital operation.
- Appeal regarding the Magnum case, involving his drug network known as The Company and trafficking methylamphetamine while overseas in 2006-2007, was rejected.
Final Sentence Adjustment
On Thursday, Victoria’s Court of Appeal overturned the original 2012 sentence, revising it to 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days, effectively eliminating further jail time for Mokbel.
"The Court of Appeal quashed convictions and acquitted Mokbel for his trafficking offences related to the Quills operation."
This ruling marks a significant change in Mokbel’s legal status, concluding years of proceedings and reducing his punishment substantially.
Summary: The court’s decision drastically shortens Tony Mokbel’s sentence, reflecting pivotal changes in convictions amid revelations about a key informant’s role in his cases.
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