Australian gangster Tony Mokbel gets reduced drug sentence

Australian Gangster Tony Mokbel Gets Reduced Drug Sentence

Tony Mokbel, one of Australia’s most notorious gangsters, had his 20-year prison sentence for drug trafficking reduced to 13 years after revelations that his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was secretly a police informant during Melbourne’s gangland war.

Background on Tony Mokbel and Criminal Activities

In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years for leading an extensive drug syndicate known as “The Company.” His organization was linked to numerous murders that inspired the popular TV series Underbelly.

The Lawyer’s Double Role

The case took a surprising turn when it was revealed that Mokbel’s high-profile lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, acted as Informer 3838, secretly providing information to the police while representing clients involved in the Melbourne gangland conflict.

Appeal and Sentence Reduction

Mokbel served about 18 years before being released on bail in April after courts allowed an appeal against his convictions.
His legal team contended that he would not have pleaded guilty if he had known about Gobbo’s double life.
The Court of Appeal focused on a third charge of trafficking over 41 kilograms of methylamphetamine between 2006 and 2007.
Though the appeal against the charge was dismissed, Mokbel’s original 20-year sentence was lowered to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days.

“The court noted Mokbel’s crimes were ‘very grave’ but acknowledged ‘unusual circumstances’ in the case.”

The justices considered that Mokbel was a first-time drug offender and had suffered serious injuries while in prison.

Author’s Summary

The reduction of Tony Mokbel’s drug sentence reflects the complex impact of his lawyer’s hidden role as a police informant, introducing unusual circumstances to a high-profile criminal conviction.

The Sun Malaysia — 2025-11-06