Court Reduces Sentence of Former Gangland Boss Tony Mokbel
Tony Mokbel, a former key figure in Melbourne's gangland war, has won a significant legal victory after a court ruled he will not serve additional prison time for a drug trafficking conviction.
Background of the Case
Mokbel was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012 following guilty pleas to serious drug-related charges. The sentence was later reduced to a non-parole period of 22 years. Having served 18 years, he was released on bail in April 2025.
Appeals and Legal Developments
Mokbel challenged his convictions linked to three police operations—Orbital, Magnum, and Quills—following revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had acted as a police informant.
- In the Quills operation, the Court of Appeal acquitted Mokbel of all trafficking convictions and quashed these charges.
- For the Orbital operation, a new trial was ordered regarding MDMA importing and trafficking convictions.
- His appeal on the Magnum case, related to running his drug network "The Company" and trafficking methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007 while overseas, was rejected.
Latest Sentence Adjustment
On Thursday, Victoria’s Court of Appeal overturned the original 2012 sentence and replaced it with a term of 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
"Mokbel will not be sent back to jail after one of the country’s highest courts dramatically slashed his sentence for drug trafficking."
Despite mixed outcomes in his appeals, this ruling marks a considerable reduction in Mokbel’s custodial term.
Author's Summary
This case highlights lasting legal impacts arising from informant controversies and marks a significant reduction in a notorious gangland figure's prison sentence.