Tony Mokbel’s Daring Escape from Justice: Underworld Figure Dodges Extra Jail Time in Methamphetamine Trafficking Racket
- Tony Mokbel avoids additional prison time over methamphetamine trafficking scheme despite making $4 million from the operation
- Court of Appeal reduces sentence to time already served due to Lawyer X scandal and overturned convictions
- Mokbel remains on bail with strict conditions as he faces separate drug case, with prosecutors yet to confirm whether they will take it to trial
Tony Mokbel, the notorious underworld figure, has pulled off a stunning escape from justice, dodging extra jail time over a methamphetamine trafficking racket that netted him a whopping $4 million. In a dramatic turn of events, the Court of Appeal reduced Mokbel’s sentence to time already served, citing the Lawyer X scandal and the overturning of several convictions.
Mokbel, who has spent over 6,500 days in custody, was seen kissing his partner passionately outside the court, clearly relieved that he won’t be returning to prison anytime soon. However, his freedom is not without conditions – he remains on bail with strict limitations on his movements, living arrangements, and phone use.
The Court of Appeal’s decision marks another significant legal win for Mokbel, who has been embroiled in a series of high-profile cases. In 2012, he was sentenced to three decades in prison, including a 20-year stint for the methamphetamine trafficking operation, known as “Magnum”. However, the sentence was reduced to 5,005 days, or approximately 13 years and 8 months, after the Court of Appeal took into account the Lawyer X scandal and the overturning of several convictions.
Mokbel’s case has been marred by controversy, with allegations that his former lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, secretly passed information about him to Victoria Police. The scandal has led to several convictions being overturned, including one case, “Quills”, which was so badly tainted that the Court of Appeal entered an acquittal.
As Mokbel prepares to face a separate drug case, “Orbital”, later this month, prosecutors are yet to confirm whether they will take it to trial. The case relates to allegations that Mokbel tried to source MDMA from overseas, and if prosecuted, would require digging up evidence from two decades ago and potentially tracking down witnesses.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will need to carefully consider whether it is in the public interest to haul Mokbel back before the courts. For now, Mokbel remains a free man, albeit with strict bail conditions, as he awaits the outcome of his next court battle.