Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel Gets Reduced Drug Sentence
Tony Mokbel's 20-year sentence for drug trafficking was reduced to 13 years 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 connected to numerous murders depicted in the TV series Underbelly. His group, known as “The Company,” was heavily involved in criminal activities throughout Melbourne.
Revelation of Lawyer’s Dual Role
The case took a dramatic twist when it was disclosed that Gobbo, a prominent lawyer representing gangland figures, secretly supplied information to the police while continuing to defend her clients.
Court Appeal and Sentence Reduction
After serving roughly 18 years in prison, Mokbel was released on bail in April when courts allowed an appeal reconsidering his convictions. His defense argued he would not have pleaded guilty had he known about Gobbo’s role as Informer 3838.
The Court of Appeal focused on a charge regarding trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007. Although this appeal was dismissed, Mokbel’s initial 20-year sentence was lowered to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days.
The court acknowledged that Mokbel’s crimes were “very grave” but accepted “unusual circumstances” in the case, noting he was a first-time drug offender and had suffered serious injuries in prison.
Summary
Despite serious offenses, Mokbel’s drug sentence was reduced due to his lawyer’s conflict and unusual mitigating factors during his imprisonment.