Tony Mokbel Released After Sentence Reduction
Gangland figure Tony Mokbel will not spend additional time in prison for a major drug trafficking conviction after his sentence was significantly reduced on appeal.
Background of the Case
In 2012, Mokbel was sentenced to 30 years in prison with a non-parole period of 22 years after pleading guilty to leading a sophisticated drug syndicate across three criminal cases. Of the original sentence, 20 years pertained to one case.
Appeal and Resentencing
On Thursday, the court reduced Mokbel's sentence to 13 years, seven months, and 15 days, which was recognized as "time already served" prior to the appeal hearing.
“He is taken to have served that entire sentence,” Justice Stephen McLeish said.
Court Proceedings
Mokbel expressed respect by bowing to the justices, then kissed his girlfriend before leaving the courthouse without comment, heading toward his legal team's chambers.
Legal Considerations in Resentencing
Justice McLeish noted that the resentencing reflected the 2023 quashing of one conviction known as Plutonium, Mokbel’s head injury sustained while incarcerated, and that he was treated as a first-time drug offender.
Details of the Appeal Outcomes
- One conviction (Quills) was unanimously overturned.
- A retrial was ordered for a second conviction (Orbital).
- The third conviction (Magnum) was upheld.
On October 3, Court of Appeal Justices Stephen McLeish, Maree Kennedy, and Stephen Kaye made these decisions unanimously.
Tony Mokbel is now considered to have fully served his sentence.
Author's summary: Tony Mokbel’s drug trafficking sentence was substantially reduced on appeal, leading to his immediate release after the court recognized time served and overturned one conviction.