Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2006
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Jesse Hogan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n392/a05.html?308799

MOKBEL TO FACE 12 YEARS' JAIL

The judge who today sentenced Tony Mokbel to 12 years' jail has
described the fugitive drug dealer as "the brains" behind a plot to
import cocaine into Australia in 2000.

The 40-year-old millionaire businessman, whose full name is Antonios
Sajih Mokbel, was this week found guilty by a Supreme Court jury after
a seven-week trial of being knowingly concerned in the importation of
almost three kilograms of cocaine  despite being absent from court
since skipping bail last Sunday.

Earlier this week, The Age revealed he had possibly fled Melbourne
after learning he was under investigation by the Purana gangland taskforce.

Justice Bill Gillard this morning announced the sentence for Mokbel,
who is due to serve 12 years in prison with a non-parole period of
nine years provided he can be found.

In sentencing, Justice Gillard said trial evidence showed Mokbel to be
the "principal financier" behind the plot to import cocaine from Mexico.

"In my opinion, the case against the prisoner was both compelling and
overwhelming," he said.

"I'm satisfied the prisoner was the brains and moving force behind the
cocaine importation."

But Mokbel's decision to flee ahead of the trial had no bearing on the
sentence, he said.

The case against Mokbel centred on two drug dealers who became
prosecution witnesses and who received greatly reduced jail sentences
for agreeing to implicate him.

A key factor was secret recordings of Mokbel taped by police informer
"Mr U"  a trusted associate of his  discussing the cocaine
importation.

Justice Gillard described Mokbel as "intelligent and cunning", and
said he had astutely made sure that knowledge of his involvement in
the plot was limited (to Mr U and Ron Cassar, a former operations
manager for United Parcel Service).

"What was clear from the telephone intercepts was that the prisoner
covered his tracks," he said.

"He used Mr U and Mr Cassar to achieve his evil ventures."

Justice Gillard said Mokbel had, throughout his adult life, treated
the law with contempt, and that there was "no evidence to show
contrition on the part of the prisoner".

At the time of Mokbel's arrest on drugs charges in 2001, assets seized
by police included a 1998 Ferrari Roadster and eight units in
Templestowe worth $2.4 million.

He also boasted of about $20 million invested in property development
and fashion.

Victoria Police has issued an international police alert in an attempt
to locate Mokbel.
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