Notorious drug trafficker Tony Mokbel, once one of Australia’s most wanted criminals, has been granted bail by the Victorian Court of Appeal after spending nearly two decades behind bars. The landmark ruling comes as Mokbel mounts a serious legal challenge to overturn his drug trafficking convictions—arguing that lawyer-turned-police informer Nicola Gobbo compromised his right to a fair trial.
Now 59 years old, Mokbel has walked free for the first time since his dramatic 2007 arrest in Greece, leaving Melbourne’s CBD court complex amid tight police security, public attention, and media frenzy.
A Strong Appeal and “Truly Exceptional” Circumstances
Mokbel’s release marks a significant legal turn, with Justice Karin Emerton, President of the Court of Appeal, acknowledging that his case is both “very unusual” and “truly exceptional.” The court found that the deliberate concealment of Nicola Gobbo’s dual role as defense lawyer and police informer undermined the integrity of the judicial process that led to Mokbel’s convictions.
Justice Emerton cited a pre-trial ruling from NSW Justice Elizabeth Fullerton, who concluded that Mokbel had been “deliberately misled and deceived” about the strength of the prosecution’s case when he entered guilty pleas. As a result, the court declared that Mokbel has a “very strong case” to have his remaining convictions quashed.
Strict Bail Conditions and Family Support
While granted freedom, Mokbel’s bail comes with strict conditions. He must wear a GPS ankle monitor, is banned from owning a smartphone or using any encrypted apps, and cannot leave metropolitan Melbourne. He must obtain a basic, non-smartphone device within 12 hours of release and provide that number to police. Additionally, he cannot contact any witnesses or former associates.
Mokbel will be residing at the home of his sister Gawy Saad, located in Viewbank, in Melbourne’s northeast. Saad—who had previously pledged a $500,000 surety—increased the offer to $1 million as part of the bail conditions. She also undertook to report any breaches of the bail order to authorities immediately. The four-bedroom home will now be the location of what could become a pivotal chapter in Mokbel’s legal and personal life.
A Changed Man: From Infamous Kingpin to Frail Defendant
In granting bail, the court acknowledged that Mokbel is no longer the man who once orchestrated a massive drug empire. Medical reports reveal that he has suffered a traumatic brain injury and is in poor physical health, with evidence suggesting significant cognitive and physical decline.
“He is not the man that he once was,” Justice Emerton noted, pointing to the 18 years Mokbel has spent in custody and the fact that he is now nearing 60 years old.
His barrister, Julie Condon KC, highlighted several factors that contributed to the court’s decision—chiefly the delays in hearing his appeal, the strength of his legal case, and the fact that he now has “strong ties to the jurisdiction.”
A History of Infamy
Tony Mokbel, often referred to in Australian media as the “Melbourne Mr Big,” was a major figure in the country’s criminal underworld during the early 2000s. He was involved in large-scale cocaine and ecstasy importation, and was a central figure in Melbourne’s infamous gangland wars.
In 2006, while out on bail with a $1 million surety posted by his then sister-in-law Renate, Mokbel fled Australia aboard a yacht, leading to an international manhunt. He was arrested in Greece in 2007 and extradited back to Australia in 2008.
He had previously been serving a 30-year sentence, with a non-parole period of 22 years, and was eligible for parole in June 2031. However, his appeal—now bolstered by the explosive Nicola Gobbo informer scandal—has the potential to dramatically alter that trajectory.
Who Is Tony Mokbel’s Wife?
While Tony Mokbel’s personal life has been kept relatively private, it is widely known that during his criminal prime he was involved in a high-profile relationship with Renate Mokbel, who at one point was described as his sister-in-law and had posted his bail prior to his 2006 disappearance. The nature of their relationship raised eyebrows at the time, given reports that they had once been romantically linked.
However, no current public records confirm that Mokbel is presently married. He appears to be unattached at this point in his life, and is now being cared for primarily by his sister Gawy Saad, who has remained a steadfast supporter throughout his legal battles.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Once reputed to be worth millions, Mokbel’s criminal empire included drug trafficking operations, front businesses, and a network of criminal associates across Australia and abroad. However, much of his ill-gotten fortune has since been seized by authorities, and any remaining assets are either under scrutiny or lost due to legal costs and seizures under proceeds of crime laws.
Today, Tony Mokbel’s net worth is estimated to be under $1 million, with no clear evidence of financial holdings. His reliance on family support, particularly from Saad, signals a sharp contrast to the lavish lifestyle he once led.
What’s Next?
Mokbel’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 16, where a directions hearing will take place ahead of the full appeal proceedings. The outcome of that hearing will likely determine whether Mokbel remains on bail or is returned to custody, and whether his drug trafficking convictions will ultimately be overturned.
For now, the once-feared underworld figure is back in the community—albeit under heavy restrictions. And as his legal journey continues, all eyes will remain on a case that has not only reshaped Australia’s criminal justice landscape but has also raised deep questions about justice, misconduct, and redemption.