Australian drug kingpin Tony Mokbel walks free after police informant scandal

Australia Loses Its Most Notorious Mobster: Tony Mokbel Walks Free Due to Police Informant Scandal

A shocking outcome has emerged in the highly publicized case of Australian crime lord Tony Mokbel, who is one of the country's most infamous gangsters. After years behind bars, Mokbel, 60, will walk free due to a stunning decision by prosecutors to drop plans for a retrial on drug trafficking charges.

In 2012, Mokbel was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to masterminding an elaborate drug syndicate. His high-profile lawyer at the time, Nicola Gobbo, was alleged to have been feeding information to police while supposedly defending her clients. This revelation tainted his convictions, leading to a court ruling that gave Mokbel a strong chance of overturning his criminal record.

Mokbel spent approximately 18 years behind bars before being released on bail last April. A court subsequently acquitted him of one charge and ordered a possible retrial over allegations he tried to import a commercial quantity of MDMA in 2005. However, prosecutors have now decided not to pursue the retrial, citing factors such as Mokbel's age and health, as well as the significant time already spent behind bars.

The decision has sent shockwaves through Melbourne's underworld, where Mokbel was a key figure in the city's years-long gangland war. Violence linked to his group, known as the Company, claimed dozens of lives and was later immortalized in the popular Australian TV series Underbelly.

Mokbel expressed relief at being released from prison, stating that life "feels really nice" and that he is eager to travel abroad. His lawyer's double-life has been exposed for years, with claims that over 300 people were arrested and charged based on the information provided by Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X and Informer 3838.

A 2020 royal commission found Gobbo's actions to be "fundamental and appalling breaches" of her obligations as counsel to her clients. The outcome in Mokbel's case has been described as a victory for the mobster, who will now live out his life with relative freedom.

This is like total crazy ! Tony Mokbel gets to walk free after being behind bars for 18 yrs and doing nothing but collecting checks meanwhile Lawyer X Nicola Gobbo was feeding info to cops the whole time it's wild how corrupt some people can be justice ain't always pretty

I don't know if I'm surprised or not that Tony Mokbel got off scot-free . On one hand, it's crazy to think that someone like him is still walking around after all he's done. But on the other hand, you've gotta feel bad for the guy - 18 years in prison is a long time, and I guess his age and health are definitely factors here.

It's also pretty shady how the cops let Lawyer X off the hook . Like, what kind of deal was made to let her go? And what about all those people she testified against? It's just not right.

But at the end of the day, it's Mokbel who gets to enjoy the fruits of his labor - or lack thereof . He can finally travel abroad and live a life without the constant pressure of prison life. I guess you could say he's getting a second chance at life. But is that really justice?

OMG, can't believe Tony Mokbel got off scot free ! I mean, 18 years locked up and he's still walking around like nothing happened . It's not fair to the victims' families or the innocent people who suffered because of his gang's violence . And what's with the cops letting him get away? Wasn't there enough evidence to put him behind bars for good ? The fact that Lawyer X got away with ratting out her clients is just sickening . I'm not surprised he's already talking about traveling abroad, like he's some kind of VIP ️. Not cool, mate!

just can't believe this! 18 yrs behind bars and now he gets to walk free Mokbel's lawyer was like a double agent, feeding info to police while defending her clients - what a twist! the fact that over 300 people were arrested and charged based on her info is just wild. you'd think she'd get more time for that alone, but nope, the system didn't work out that way

Ugh, can't believe Tony Mokbel is getting off scot-free He was basically convicted of being a gangster mastermind and now he's just walking free? I get that his lawyer Nicola Gobbo was a problem, but 18 years in prison seems like a pretty harsh sentence to me. And on top of that, he was found guilty of other crimes back in the day... feels like the system failed him somehow . But at the same time, can you blame him for wanting to travel abroad and live life? He's 60 now, I guess some people do deserve a second chance .

Wow , can't believe Tony Mokbel is walking free after being convicted and serving 18 years behind bars . This whole lawyer informant scandal is wild , Gobbo's actions were so bad that a royal commission even called her out for it . The fact that prosecutors dropped the retrial case due to Mokbel's age and health, but also because he already spent most of his life in prison... what a weird decision . It feels like justice wasn't served here at all .

I'm literally shocked by this news ! I mean, Tony Mokbel was supposed to get justice after all those years of crime, but instead he gets to walk free because of some police informant scandal? It's just not right . Like, what even is the point of having a justice system if it can be so easily manipulated like this?

I know people are saying it's about his age and health, but that's just not fair . He should've done his time already, you know? And now he gets to live out his life without any real consequences? It's just so frustrating .

And can we talk about Lawyer X for a second? Nicola Gobbo is like the ultimate example of how not to be a lawyer . I mean, who deliberately becomes an informant while still working for their clients? What even is that?!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one... I mean, 18 years behind bars and then suddenly walking free because of some shady dealings by the lawyer? It's crazy how that works out in the end. I feel bad for all the people who were affected by Mokbel's actions, but at the same time, you've got to wonder if justice was really served here. I mean, the guy did commit some serious crimes and ended up getting a pretty sweet deal because of his lawyer's... let's say, "creative" work ethic . It's like, what even is the point of having a system in place if it can be so easily manipulated?

Can you believe this? Tony Mokbel, one of Australia's most notorious mobsters, is walking free after 18 years behind bars. I mean, what's wrong with prosecutors here? They're basically saying that a police informant's testimony is more reliable than their own evidence. It's insane!

And it's not like he's been on the straight and narrow for all those years either. He was caught out by his lawyer who was feeding info to the cops in the first place. So, what, we're just going to let him off with a slap on the wrist? It doesn't feel right.

I know Gobbo's actions were wrong, but come on! The mobster got what he wanted and then some. He's basically being rewarded for his crimes. I'm so fed up with this system. It's like they're more interested in letting him live his best life than actually serving justice.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one . Tony Mokbel walking free after all these years is just wild. I mean, he was basically granted a second chance due to some major police informant drama . Nicola Gobbo's double-life has been exposed for ages, and now it seems like the justice system isn't doing enough to hold her accountable .

I'm not saying Mokbel didn't do his thing while in prison (he did), but come on! 18 years is a long time. You'd think that would be enough punishment . Now he's just gonna live out his life with relative freedom, which I guess is better than nothing .

This whole situation has me thinking about the dark side of justice and how it can sometimes be manipulated for personal gain . It's a slippery slope when informants are allowed to walk free and deal out favors like this.

I gotta ask, what makes prosecutors think this guy can just walk free after 18 years? Like, I get it, the lawyer did some shady stuff and compromised the whole trial, but that's not exactly a reason to set someone free, especially when they've already done time for other crimes. And what about all those people who were affected by his gangland war? It doesn't feel right that he gets off scot-free just because of his age and health. I need some more info on this before I can fully understand the reasoning behind this decision. Where's the source on this one, btw?

Ugh, I'm so torn about this one . On one hand, I'm glad Tony Mokbel is finally free after serving 18 years in prison - that's like, forever . But at the same time, it feels like justice wasn't really served here... I mean, come on, he was supposed to be locked up for life because of his role in the company that was responsible for so much violence and bloodshed .

And what about all the people who were affected by his actions? The families of the victims, the innocent bystanders who got caught in the crossfire... do they even get any closure now? . And let's not forget Lawyer X, Nicola Gobbo - she basically sold out her clients to save her own skin and now everyone knows about it .

It's just so frustrating when people like Mokbel are able to walk free because of corrupt systems or loopholes in the law. I guess that's just how the system works sometimes, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept .

just heard about this so unfair, tony mokbel gets to walk free after all he did? like, 18 yrs behind bars and he just gets out because of some police informant scandal? what a waste of time and resources. and now he's gonna travel abroad with his "relief" it's just not right.