Notorious Melbourne underworld figure Tony Mokbel freed from jail following successful bail application

The drug kingpin has been locked up for almost two decades.

By 7 News Molly Magennis

Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel has been freed from jail following a successful bail application.

After spending 18 years in custody, the 59-year-old notorious gangland figure will be released from prison as he awaits his Lawyer X appeal seeking to overturn drug trafficking convictions.

Mokbel must adhere to a number of bail conditions including physically reporting daily to Heidelberg police station between 9am and 5pm.

He must surrender his passport, not leave metropolitan Melbourne and not be within 2km of any airport.

Mokbel will reside at his sister Gawy Saad’s four-bedroom home at Viewbank, in Melbourne’s northeast, and will have a curfew of 8pm to 6am.

The underworld figure smiled and waved to supporters in the seating area following the decision in the Victorian Court of Appeal about 10am.

Mokbel is fighting to overturn drug-trafficking convictions, after he pleaded guilty to heading a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking empire known as The Company.

He was represented at the time by barrister-turned-supergrass Nicola Gobbo, unaware she was informing for Victoria Police.

Court president, Justice Karin Emerton, said Mokbel has “a very strong case that his convictions should be quashed”.

“As he was required to Mr Mokbel has established his circumstances are truly exceptional,” she said.

Mokbel has not tasted freedom since his 2007 arrest in Greece, after he famously absconded inside a yacht while on bail with a $1 million surety from his sister-in-law Renate.

Saad offered $850,000 in surety to secure Mokbel’s bail and said she was “sure he won’t do it to anyone else” when asked about what happened to her sister-in-law.

Mokbel’s barrister Julie Condon KC cited delays in hearing his appeal, the strength of his case, his poor physical health, strong ties to jurisdiction due to his family and “long-term de facto” relationship, as exceptional circumstances to prove he should be released on bail.

He is currently eligible for parole in June 2031 and an appeal over his drug trafficking convictions will be heard later this year.

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