Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel Gets Reduced Drug Sentence
Tony Mokbel, one of Australia's most notorious gangsters, has had his prison sentence for drug trafficking reduced from 20 years to 13 years and over seven months. This decision followed revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was secretly acting as a police informant during Melbourne’s gangland war.
Mokbel's Original Sentence and Criminal Activities
In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years for leading a large drug syndicate during Melbourne's violent gang conflicts. His criminal network, known as “The Company,” was connected to numerous murders, events later depicted in the acclaimed TV series Underbelly.
The Gobbo Informant Scandal
The case took a dramatic turn when it was revealed that Nicola Gobbo, a high-profile lawyer representing Mokbel and other clients, had been passing information to the police, acting under the codename Informer 3838.
Legal Proceedings and Appeal Outcome
Mokbel served about 18 years before being released on bail in April pending an appeal. His legal team argued that he would not have pleaded guilty if he had known about Gobbo’s double role.
"While the appeal was dismissed, Mokbel’s original 20-year sentence was reduced to 13 years, seven months and 15 days."
The Court of Appeal specifically reviewed a charge involving trafficking more than 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007. The judges acknowledged the severity of Mokbel’s crimes but cited “unusual circumstances,” considering that he was a first-time drug offender and had endured serious injuries while imprisoned.
Summary
This case highlights the complex intersection of criminal justice and covert police operations, leading to substantial sentence reductions based on ethical concerns about legal representation.
Author’s note: Tony Mokbel’s sentence reduction reflects the lasting impact of legal breaches on high-profile criminal cases and the justice system’s attempts to balance severity with fairness.