Tony Mokbel

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Tony Mokbel
Mokbel, wearing a wig, after his arrest in Greece
Born
Antonios Sajih Mokbel

(1965-08-11) 11 August 1965 (age 58)
Kuwait[1]
Criminal statusImprisoned (Australia)
Conviction(s)Drug trafficking, drug importation
Criminal penalty30 years imprisonment

Antonios Sajih Mokbel (Arabic: طوني مقبل) (born 11 August 1965) is an Australian criminal who has been convicted of a number of offences, most prominently commercial drug trafficking.[2] He has spent most of his life in Melbourne, Australia.[3] Operation Purana alleged that he is the mastermind behind the Melbourne amphetamine trade.[citation needed] He has been linked to Carl Williams,[citation needed] and charged but not convicted of two murders in the Melbourne gangland war.[2] He disappeared from Melbourne while on trial in March 2006, and was arrested by Greek police in Athens on 5 June 2007.[4] Since being brought back to Australia he has remained incarcerated.[5]

Early life[edit]

Mokbel was born in Kuwait, where his Lebanese parents were expatriate workers. The family soon returned to their small village in Lebanon. His family were part of the country's Christian minority and chose to leave the country following sectarian conflict in the lead-up to the Lebanese Civil War.[3]

Mokbel and his family moved to Melbourne when he was eight years old.[6][7] They settled in the suburb of Brunswick, with his father working at the Ford factory and his mother at a meat factory. He spoke no English upon arrival in Australia and struggled at school, attending St Margaret Mary's Primary School, Brunswick High School and Moreland High School but was a keen Australian rules football player.[3]

Mokbel's father drowned at Bondi Beach in Sydney on his 16th birthday.[3] He would later reflect that this left him "dirty on the world" and led to him dropping out of school.[6] Mokbel had no criminal record prior to his father's death; a psychological profile completed following his incarceration concluded that this was a defining moment in his life.[3]

Career[edit]

Having left school, Mokbel began working as a dishwasher at a nightclub.[8] He took various other jobs in the next years, before purchasing a milk bar with his wife aged 19.[9][10] Together with his brother, he bought a pizza shop three years later, and would own and operate many other businesses throughout his career.[6][11]

Mokbel was first arrested for a street brawl aged 18, and first incarcerated in 1992, having been caught attempting to bribe a judge.[12] It was after this imprisonment that Mokbel became increasingly involved in the trafficking of drugs in Melbourne,[6] in part to fund his accelerating gambling habit.[13] He initially dealt in marijuana, then moved in to speed and later ecstasy pills as well.[10] Mokbel found success in this trade, and rapidly gained wealth and notoriety throughout the next decade,[6] forming an enterprise known as The Company.[14]

In 1997, Mokbel luckily escaped injury and charges when one of his drug labs, worth 78 million dollars, exploded with him in it.[15] This did not stymie the growth of his wealth in these years; by 2000, Mokbel owned a Ferrari car, expensive property, and racehorses.[6] Indicating the scale of his operations at this time, it is known that Mokbel organised and received a shipment of ephedrine great enough to make two billion dollars of street drugs in late 2000.[6]

It has been alleged that in late 2002 there was a meeting of more than ten Melbourne organised crime figures in Carlton. At that meeting, it is said that Mokbel was beaten, nearly to death, by Nik Radev's bodyguard, Western Australian Troy Mercanti, who was a member of the Coffin Cheaters motorcycle gang.[16] Andrew Veniamin was ordered by his then close associate, Mick Gatto, to take Mokbel to a female doctor. In the following couple of weeks, Mick Gatto was told that Veniamin and Mokbel became close allies.

Mokbel was alleged to have laundered over $2 million through At the Top of the Town, a high-profile Melbourne CBD brothel which he purchased through a business associate. One of Mokbel's amphetamine producers also ran a brothel in the Melbourne south-eastern suburbs while another Mokbel gang member who trafficked large amounts of drugs for Mokbel also ran a brothel.[17]

Arrests, flight, and extradition[edit]

By the end of the 1990s, police had become increasingly aware of the scale of Mokbel's drugs trafficking operations. A prominent drug dealer turned police informant was used to gather evidence on Mokbel's importations between October 2000 and August 2001. Mokbel was arrested in August 2001 for a small importation of cocaine of the previous year. He was bailed in 2002, but while on bail, he was caught attempting to organise an importation of drugs chemicals through an undercover AFP officer. He was arrested on associated charges in September 2005, but again was granted bail.[18]

While still awaiting trial in early 2006, Mokbel received intelligence that Operation Purana officers intended to charge him with murder for his alleged role in two of the Melbourne gangland killings. He therefore skipped bail and fled after 19 March.[18] Mokbel first hid himself at a friend's house in Bonnie Doon, Victoria, while an associate made preparations for a maritime escape to Greece.[19] A team of Greek sailors were recruited, and a yacht was purchased and transported to Fremantle, Western Australia, where Mokbel was then driven in two hired vehicles. He set sail on November 11, and arrived in Greece on 24 December 2006.[19]

While Mokbel was in hiding in Greece, police laid the murder charge that had provoked his flight. Mokbel was charged with Lewis Moran's murder on 28 February 2007.[20] Police alleged that he and Carl Williams paid Keith Faure and Evangelos Goussis $150,000 for the March 2004 murder of Lewis Moran.[21][22] Faure and Goussis were both convicted of the murder, but Mokbel was acquitted in September 2009.[2] He was also charged in 2007 with the October 2003 murder of suspected drug dealer Michael Marshall,[23] but prosecutors later withdrew this charge.[24]

Mokbel became Australia's most wanted fugitive,[25] until his eventual arrest by Greek police in Athens on 5 June 2007.[4] Prior to his arrest, there was a $1 million bounty for information leading to his capture.[26][27]

On 5 July 2007, Australia made a formal request to Greece for Mokbel's extradition. Mokbel made appeals against the extradition in three Australian courts, as well as the Athens Court of Appeal, Greek Supreme Court and the ECHR.[28] These attempts were all unsuccessful, and on 8 May 2008, the Greek justice minister finally ratified the Greek Supreme Court's decision thus enabling Mokbel's extradition.[29][30] Lebanon had also made a simultaneous request to Greece for Mokbel's extradition, which an international law expert described as "strange", leading to reported speculation that Mokbel had bribed Lebanese authorities to make the request.[31] Lebanon would not extradite Mokbel to Australia, as he is a Lebanese citizen, and so successful extradition to Lebanon would have enabled his permanent escape.[32]

On 17 May 2008, Mokbel arrived at Melbourne Airport aboard a Gulfstream jet along with eight Lebanese men. The cost of the $450,000 jet trip drew some criticism, but the Victorian state said they intended to regain the costs by seizure of Mokbel's criminal earnings.[33]

Incarceration and appeals[edit]

Upon his return to Australia, Mokbel immediately began serving a twelve year prison sentence, having been convicted in absentia for a 2000 importation of Mexican cocaine.[34] In July 2012, Mokbel was further sentenced to 30 years with a minimum term of 22 years in the Supreme Court of Victoria, having pleaded guilty to three charges associated with his role in The Company drug syndicate.[35]

On 27 February 2012, Mokbel suffered a mild heart attack.[36] On 11 February 2019, Mokbel was stabbed in Barwon Prison.[37]

Mokbel has appealed his convictions on the basis that his barrister, Nicola Gobbo, was simultaneously acting as a police informant (see Lawyer X scandal).[5] His appeal of his 2006 conviction for cocaine importation was successful, although he had already entirely served that sentence;[38] his appeal of the 2012 convictions is ongoing.[5] In 2023, Mokbel's sentence was reduced from 30 years with a non-parole period of 22 years to a 26-year sentence with a 20-year non-parole period. The appeals judge announced that there were several factors that were also considered in reducing the sentence, including a 2019 prison yard assault and the impact COVID-19 had on the prison system. The reduced sentence means that Mokbel will be eligible for parole by 2031.[39]

Personal life[edit]

Tony Mokbel married Carmel DeLorenzo in 1989.[40] They had worked alongside each other before their marriage at Mokbel's milk bar,[41] and continued to work together for several years at his pizza restaurant.[42] Mokbel and DeLorenzo had two children together, named Sajih and Susan Mokbel.[43] Tony Mokbel had numerous affairs during his marriage to Carmel,[44] and in late 2000 left his wife and began a long-term relationship with Danielle McGuire (although Carmel and Mokbel's divorce was only finalised in 2006).[40] Mokbel and McGuire have one child together, born in 2006 and named Renate after Tony Mokbel's sister-in-law. McGuire separated from Mokbel in 2007 while he was incarcerated.[44]

Court cases[edit]

In popular culture[edit]

Mokbel is played by actor Robert Mammone in the Australian drama TV series Underbelly and Fat Tony & Co. Mokbel was the main character of the latter series.

Robert Mammome reprised his role as Tony in Channel 9's 2020 series Informer 3838.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ O'Loughlin, Ed (22 April 2006). "Meet the Mokbels at home in Lebanon". Melbourne: The Age. Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  2. ^ a b c Fogarty, Daniel (19 April 2011). "Mokbel admits heading drug syndicate". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e Oakes, Dan (3 July 2012). "How Tony turned bad". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b Disguised Mokbel grabbed at seaside cafe Archived 27 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine - The Age, 2007-06-06
  5. ^ a b c Cooper, Adam (18 November 2021). "Further delay to Tony Mokbel appeal case frustrates his lawyer". The Age. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Tony Mokbel, the drug kingpin who became Australia's most wanted man". ABC News. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ Mulvey, Paul (12 February 2019). "Mokbel's fears finally face reality". The Islander. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ Petrie, Selma Milovanovic, Tony Wright and Andrea (19 April 2011). "King without a crown". The Age. Retrieved 19 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Mulvey, Paul (12 February 2019). "Mokbel's fears finally face reality". Bendigo Advertiser. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b Hunt, Elissa; Murphy, Padraic (19 April 2011). "The pizza cook who became Mr Big". The Advertiser. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  11. ^ Petrie, Ben Butler and Andrea (16 August 2012). "On $160 a week, Mokbel amassed millions: documents". The Age. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Tony Mokbel, the drug kingpin who became Australia's most wanted man". ABC News. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  13. ^ Oakes, Dan (3 July 2012). "Father's death a catalyst for life of crime". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. ^ "The drug cook, the boss, the driver: The men who could walk free over the Informer 3838 scandal". ABC News. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  15. ^ Moor, Keith (6 March 2014). "Two-up Tony caught on film". Herald Sun. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  16. ^ Melbourne’s fatal gang wars came to Perth, court told Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine - The West Australian, 2006-09-21
  17. ^ "Business washed drug cash" by Keith Moor Archived 6 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine Herald Sun 2007-04-30,"The Industrial Vagina Chapter 8: The State as a Pimp, p189" by Sheila Jeffreys"
  18. ^ a b Moor, Keith (6 March 2014). "Two-up Tony caught on film". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  19. ^ a b Hagan, John Silvester and Kate (19 April 2011). "Tony's flight in a luxury yacht". The Age. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  20. ^ Mokbel on Moran murder charge Archived 6 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine - The Australian, 2007-02-28
  21. ^ Gregory, Peter (3 May 2006). "$150,000 to kill crime boss". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  22. ^ Petrie, Andrea (24 October 2011). "Moran killer appeals conviction". The Age. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Mokbel charged with Marshall murder". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  24. ^ Petrie, Andrea; Lowe, Adrian (19 April 2011). "Tony Mokbel faces life in jail after guilty pleas". The Age. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  25. ^ Hope, Zach (26 July 2019). "Tony Mokbel and other criminals appealing convictions over Informer 3838 scandal". The Age. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  26. ^ "$1m on crime boss's head". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  27. ^ $1m Mokbel reward up for grabs Archived 5 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine - The Age, 2007-06-06
  28. ^ "Extradition while application to ECHR pending does not justify stay of proceedings". Human Rights Law Centre. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  29. ^ "Greek court orders Mokbel's extradition - World - theage.com.au". Melbourne. Archived from the original on 21 March 2008.
  30. ^ "Mokbel on his way home". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Lebanese request for Mokbel prompts claims of bribery". ABC News. 16 October 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Lebanon vs Australia in bid to get Mokbel". ABC News. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  33. ^ Richard Kerbaj (19 May 2008). "Tony Mokbel to be billed for return". The Australian.[dead link]
  34. ^ "Court orders fresh trial for Tony Mokbel". The West Australian. 16 April 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  35. ^ "Drug kingpin Mokbel sentenced to 30 years". News Limited. 3 July 2012.
  36. ^ "Mokbel in hospital, may miss court". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  37. ^ Carey, Melissa Cunningham, Cameron Houston, Simone Fox Koob, Adam (11 February 2019). "'Annoyed' cons may have shivved Mokbel after he bragged about release". The Age. Retrieved 12 February 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Tony Mokbel has cocaine importation conviction quashed over Lawyer X scandal". ABC News. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  39. ^ Pearson, Erin (7 March 2023). "Tony Mokbel's sentence reduced by Court of Appeal after Lawyer X scandal". The Age. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  40. ^ a b Silvester, John; Rule, Andrew (2008). Underbelly: The Gangland War. Sly Ink. p. 45. ISBN 978-0-9775440-6-6.
  41. ^ Silvester, John (17 March 2017). "Catching Tony Mokbel: The big win that proves we lose". The Age. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  42. ^ Hunt, Elissa (3 July 2012). "Tony Mokbel, the man behind the wig". amp.heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  43. ^ Operation Purana Intelligence Cell (9 August 2019). "Operation Posse: Operational Assessment into the Mokbel Criminal Cartel" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2021.
  44. ^ a b Dowsley, Anthony (19 April 2011). "Tony shows an achy breaky heart". The Advertiser. Retrieved 22 January 2022.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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