Underworld Kingpin Mokbel Avoids Return to Prison
Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel has been sentenced to time already served after failing to overturn his conviction. He will not serve additional prison time for trafficking 41kg of methamphetamine while on the run.
Mokbel, 60, appeared relieved and kissed his girlfriend following the Victorian Court of Appeal's decision on Thursday.
Appeal and Conviction Details
Mokbel originally sought to quash his 2006 conviction, arguing that barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo had tainted his case. However, in October, the court rejected his appeal on the drug-trafficking charge, known as operation Magnum.
The court upheld his conviction and re-sentenced him to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days — a term he has already served.
Justice McLeish stated, "While the offending was serious and flagrant, Mokbel's unusual circumstances warranted the more modest sentence."
Background of Offense
- Mokbel committed the offenses between July 2006 and June 2007 while evading capture for separate charges.
- He trafficked over 41kg of methamphetamine, generating about $4 million in proceeds.
- During this time, he hid in regional Victoria and Greece.
He was arrested and extradited to Melbourne in 2008, pleading guilty in 2011 to the Magnum offense and two additional drug charges.
In early 2025, Mokbel successfully appealed the two other convictions, known as Quills and Orbital.
Author's summary: Despite serious drug trafficking offenses, Tony Mokbel avoids further jail time due to unique circumstances, with his conviction and sentence reaffirmed by the Victorian Court of Appeal.