Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel Gets Reduced Drug Sentence
Tony Mokbel, a notorious Australian gangster, has had his drug trafficking sentence reduced from 20 years to 13 years after revelations that his lawyer acted as a police informant during Melbourne's gangland war.
Background of the Case
In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years for running a sophisticated drug syndicate, known as “The Company,” which was linked to numerous murders depicted in the TV series Underbelly. His lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was later exposed as a police informant, raising serious legal questions about the fairness of Mokbel's trial.
Legal Developments
- Mokbel served about 18 years before being granted bail in April after courts agreed he had grounds to appeal.
- His defense claimed he would not have pleaded guilty if he had known about Gobbo’s secret role as Informer 3838.
Court of Appeal Ruling
The ruling on Thursday specifically addressed a charge involving trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007. Although the appeal was dismissed, Mokbel’s original 20-year sentence was reduced to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days.
"The court noted Mokbel’s crimes were ‘very grave’ but acknowledged ‘unusual circumstances’ in the case."
Justices also considered that Mokbel was a first-time drug offender and had sustained serious injuries while in prison.
Summary
The case highlights the complex intersection of criminal justice and covert police operations, ultimately leading to a significant sentence reduction for Mokbel.
Author’s summary: Tony Mokbel's sentence was substantially reduced due to his lawyer's role as a police informant, revealing unusual legal circumstances in a high-profile drug case.