Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel’s Drug Sentence Reduced
Tony Mokbel, one of Australia’s most notorious gangsters, had his drug trafficking sentence cut from 20 years to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days. The reduction came after it was revealed that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, acted as a police informant during Melbourne’s gangland war.
Background of the Case
In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years for leading a complex drug syndicate in Melbourne. His criminal group, known as “The Company,” was associated with numerous murders, which were later depicted in the TV series Underbelly.
Impact of Lawyer's Dual Role
The case took a significant turn when it became public that Nicola Gobbo, Mokbel’s prominent lawyer, had secretly provided information to the police while representing him and other clients. This revelation affected Mokbel’s appeals process.
Appeal and Sentence Reduction
Mokbel served around 18 years before being released on bail in April. The courts allowed his appeal, with lawyers arguing that he would not have pleaded guilty had he known about Gobbo’s role as “Informer 3838.”
“Unusual circumstances” warranted reviewing the sentence, despite the appellant being a first-time drug offender and having sustained serious injuries in prison, the court stated.
The Court of Appeal dealt specifically with a charge related to trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007. While Mokbel’s appeal on this charge was dismissed, the overall sentence was reduced.
Court's Observations
- Mokbel’s crimes were described as “very grave.”
- His status as a first-time offender was considered.
- His severe injuries during incarceration influenced the decision.
Following these factors, the court decided on the sentence reduction.
Author’s Summary
The revelation of Tony Mokbel’s lawyer as a police informant led to a significant sentence reduction, highlighting legal complexities in high-profile criminal cases.