Court Drastically Reduces Gangland Boss' Sentence
Former Melbourne gangland leader Tony Mokbel has achieved a significant legal victory after the court decided he will not serve further time for his drug trafficking convictions.
Background of Conviction and Sentencing
Mokbel, a prominent figure in Melbourne's gangland war, was initially sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012 following his guilty plea to severe drug offences. This sentence was later reduced to a non-parole period of 22 years. He has spent 18 years behind bars before being released on bail in April.
Legal Appeals and Outcomes
- Mokbel challenged his drug trafficking convictions related to three police operations: Orbital, Magnum, and Quills.
- Revelations about his lawyer Nicola Gobbo acting as a police informant spurred these appeals.
- The Court of Appeal recently quashed Mokbel's trafficking convictions from the Quills operation and ordered a new trial on MDMA importing and trafficking charges from the Orbital operation.
- His appeal failed in the Magnum case, which concerned his drug trafficking activities involving methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007 while he was overseas.
Final Sentence Adjustment
"Victoria’s Court of Appeal set aside the original 2012 sentence, varying it to 13 years, 7 months and 15 days."
With this decision, Mokbel will not return to prison to serve more time for his drug trafficking offences.
Summary
This ruling dramatically reduced Mokbel's sentence and reversed some of his drug trafficking convictions, marking a major shift in his long legal battle.
Author’s note: Tony Mokbel’s case illustrates the profound impact of legal representation controversies and appellate review on sentencing outcomes in high-profile criminal cases.