Tony Mokbel leaves the Victorian Court of Appeal today.
Share and Follow

Tony Mokbel, a notorious figure in the world of organized crime, will avoid returning to prison following a re-sentencing for his involvement in trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine.

The 60-year-old sought to overturn his 2006 conviction, arguing that the case had been compromised by Nicola Gobbo, a barrister who had also acted as an informer.

However, in October, the Victorian Court of Appeal decided against Mokbel’s appeal regarding the drug trafficking charge, which was part of a police investigation known as Operation Magnum.

Tony Mokbel leaves the Victorian Court of Appeal today.
Tony Mokbel leaves the Victorian Court of Appeal today. (Eddie Jim)

Instead, the court upheld his conviction, with Justices Stephen McLeish, Maree Kennedy, and Stephen Kaye re-sentencing him to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days—time that Mokbel has already served.

Mokbel appeared visibly relieved upon hearing the decision that he would not have to return to jail.

The 60-year-old had also appealed another two of his other convictions, dubbed Quills and Orbital.

Mokbel had sought to have his conviction for the 2006 offending quashed.
Mokbel had sought to have his conviction for the 2006 offending quashed. (Joe Armao)

The court found Gobbo, who was a registered Victoria Police informer, encouraged two of her clients to “roll” against Mokbel and give statements to police.

At the same time, she was representing Mokbel in court or providing him with legal advice.

Police relied on the evidence from one of her clients, known under the pseudonym Mr Bickley, to prosecute the underworld figure on the Quills drug trafficking charge.

The court determined there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice and Mokbel’s conviction in that matter should be quashed.

The Orbital drug importation conviction was also set aside, but the justices determined Mokbel should face a retrial.

The Victorian Director of Public Prosecution is considering whether to retry Mokbel but a decision has not yet been made, a spokeswoman told AAP.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Historic Milestone: Victoria Enacts Australia’s First Treaty with Aboriginal Peoples

The signing of Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people has been hailed…

Netanyahu’s Corruption Case Emerges as a Central Focus in Trump’s Pardon Request

Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 in three cases, with allegations of fraud,…
Storms to hammer Australia from top of NT to bottom of SA

Severe Storms Set to Batter Australia: Widespread Impact from Northern Territory to South Australia

Today, a dramatic display of thunder and lightning stretched from the Northern…

Liberal Party Denounces ‘Nationals-lite’ Tag Amid Coalition Tensions Over Abandoning Net Zero Commitment

The Liberal Party will enter talks with the Nationals to formulate a…
People who attended the Oasis concert at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, November 8 should monitor for symptoms until Friday, November 28.

Health Alert Issued Following Measles Exposure at Oasis Concerts

Health officials in New South Wales have issued a warning after a…
Australian Tax Office sign

Australians Lead the Charge: Record Spike in ATO Reports on Tax Evasion

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has reached a significant milestone, having received…

Israel Recovers Body of Deceased Hostage from Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Israeli military said it received the remains of one of the…
Local community mourns family torn apart in Victorian crash

Heartbreaking Victorian Crash: Local Community Grieves Family Tragedy

A tragic accident claimed the lives of Sapana Neupane, 31, her husband…