Underworld Kingpin Mokbel Avoids Return to Prison
Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel has been sentenced to time already served after losing a bid to overturn one of his convictions.
Case Background
Mokbel, 60, was convicted of trafficking more than 41kg of methamphetamine between July 2006 and June 2007 while on the run from other charges. This operation, known as Magnum, involved drug dealings with a value exceeding $4 million. During this period, he hid in regional Victoria and Greece.
Court Proceedings
He initially sought to have his 2006 conviction quashed, arguing that the barrister-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo compromised his case. However, in October, the Victorian Court of Appeal rejected his appeal regarding the drug-trafficking charge and upheld his conviction.
"While the offending was serious and flagrant, Mokbel's unusual circumstances warranted the more modest sentence," stated Justice Stephen McLeish.
On Thursday, Justices Stephen McLeish, Maree Kennedy, and Stephen Kaye re-sentenced him to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days in jail—a term he has already served.
Aftermath
Following the ruling, Mokbel appeared relieved and shared a passionate kiss with his girlfriend.
Previously, Mokbel was arrested and extradited to Melbourne in 2008. He pleaded guilty in 2011 to the Magnum offence and two other drug charges. In early 2025, he successfully appealed the other two convictions, known as Quills and Orbital.
Summary
Tony Mokbel's serious drug trafficking conviction was upheld, but due to unique circumstances, he will not serve additional prison time beyond what he has already spent.