Court Dramatically Reduces Sentence for Gangland Boss Tony Mokbel
Former gangland leader Tony Mokbel has achieved a remarkable legal victory with a court ruling that he will not serve any additional prison time for a drug trafficking conviction.
Mokbel, a central figure in Melbourne's notorious gangland war, was initially sentenced in 2012 to 30 years' imprisonment after admitting to serious drug offenses. This sentence was later adjusted to a non-parole period of 22 years. After serving 18 years, he was granted bail in April 2025.
Appeals Challenging Convictions and New Revelations
Mokbel appealed convictions stemming from three major police operations — Orbital, Magnum, and Quills. These appeals were fueled by shocking disclosures that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had acted as a police informant.
Outcomes of Appeals
- The Court of Appeal recently overturned Mokbel’s trafficking convictions related to the Quills operation and acquitted him.
- A new trial was ordered for his MDMA importing and trafficking charges linked to the Orbital operation.
- His appeal on the Magnum case, involving his drug empire "The Company" and methylamphetamine trafficking during 2006-2007, was unsuccessful.
Sentence Reduction Decision
On Thursday, Victoria’s Court of Appeal annulled the original 2012 sentence and revised it to 13 years, 7 months, and 15 days, effectively ending any further jail time for Mokbel.
"The Court of Appeal set aside the original 2012 sentence, varying it to 13 years, 7 months and 15 days."
This judgment marks a significant development in the legal battles surrounding one of Melbourne's most infamous criminal figures.
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