Former drug kingpin Tony Mokbel visits church on second day of bail

Former drug kingpin Tony Mokbel is making the most of his newfound freedom, spending his second full day outside of Barwon Prison at a place considered much more holy.

When Tony Mokbel walked free from court last week it was if his prayers had been answered.

So it seemed only fitting that on his second full day of freedom, the drug big wig went to church.

Mokbel, who was released from jail on Friday after almost 18 years behind bars for major drug trafficking convictions, began his Sunday morning by visiting Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Thornbury.

Sunday’s sermon, which was held in Arabic according to church signage, spoke of the “end of two weeks of miracles”.

“God collaborates with us and invites us to seek the best in ourselves, ensuring that if we ask and seek, we will find our prayers answered,” a copy of the sermon read.

Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel is seen attending the Maronite Catholic Church at Northbury attended by family and his girlfriend. Picture: Matrix Media Group

Mokbel was seen smiling and laughing with parishioners on the steps of the church before being whisked to Heidelberg police station by his girlfriend for his court-ordered daily check-in shortly before 9.30am.

The 59-year-old, who had ditched the activewear and instead donned jeans, runners and a navy linen shirt, remained tight-lipped when questioned by waiting media on how he was enjoying life outside Barwon prison.

Then it was a case of eat, sleep, shop, repeat – as Mokbel and his dark-haired companion headed to the Northland Shopping Centre for the second time in two days.

The pair appeared relaxed as they laughed and chatted while waiting for a takeaway coffee at The Coffee Club before strolling through the centre together.

Tony Mokbel leaves Heidelberg police station where he reported early Sunday morning. Picture: NewsWire

The crime kingpin’s new-found freedom came after the Court of Appeal on Friday unanimously ruled to grant him bail while he waits to appeal his convictions.

Mokbel is one of several underworld figures to have launched appeals after the Herald Sun revealed barrister Nicola Gobbo – dubbed Lawyer X – was working as a secret police informer. Justice Karin Emerton found Mokbel had a “very strong case that his convictions … should be quashed”.

Mokbel is required to check in at Heidleberg police station daily as part of his strict bail conditions. Picture: NewsWire

Justice Emerton found he was “deliberately misled and deceived as to the strength and nature of the prosecution cases” when he pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking offences.

Mokbel is the fourth prisoner to be released over the Lawyer X scandal following the release of Faruk Orman, Zlate Cvetanovski and Salvatore Agresta. As part of his bail, Mokbel must abide by 30 conditions including wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, an 8pm curfew and reporting daily to Heidelberg Police Station. In his first few hours of freedom, Mokbel visited his mother and brother’s grave sites at Fawkner Cemetery.

On Saturday, a steady procession of delivery trucks arrived at his sister’s Viewbank home – where he must live while on bail – dropping off goods including a 75-inch TV and a new sofa. 

Mokbel’s appeal hearing is expected to be heard later this year. 

Originally published as Former drug kingpin Tony Mokbel visits church on second day of bail