Mokbel brother refused bail on drugs charges

THE brother of fugitive drug baron Tony Mokbel was refused bail when he appeared in a Melbourne court on drug-trafficking charges today

Horty Mokbel faces five charges, including trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine.

His lawyer, Stephen Shirrefs SC, told Melbourne Magistrates Court that several factors made his client's case exceptional - including a weak crown case, a lack of relevant prior offences and family ties to the jurisdiction.

But the prosecution said it feared Mr Mokbel could flee the country, just as his brother had.

Magistrate Donna Bakos refused the 43-year-old bail, saying he did not meet the exceptional circumstances threshold required.

Mr Mokbel was charged last week with trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, attempt to possess methylamphetamine, traffick a commercial quantity of phenyl 2 propane and dealing with $9205 being the proceeds of crime.

Police allege an amphetamine cook - who has been convicted of drug trafficking - made statements to them that he manufactured amphetamine for Mr Mokbel between May 2005 and April 2006.

Mr Mokbel was ordered to reappear in July.

Tony Mokbel, 41, went missing in March last year. He failed to appear towards the end of his Victorian Supreme Court trial over the importation of 2kg of cocaine.

He was subsequently found guilty of trafficking cocaine and sentenced in absentia to 12 years' jail.

He has also been charged in his absence over the death of a Melbourne crime figure.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Mon, 23 April 2007
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2007 AAP
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au