Tony Mokbel caught up in George Marrogi drug syndicate probe, court hears

Underworld figure Tony Mokbel was heard on covertly recorded calls in a probe into a drug trafficking syndicate run by crime boss George Marrogi, a court has heard.

Jailed underworld figure Tony Mokbel has been caught up in a covert police investigation into a major drug trafficking syndicate headed by feared crime boss George Marrogi, a court has heard.

Details emerged in Victoria’s County Court on Tuesday of how Marrogi, 33, boldly masterminded a drug shipment containing 69kg of methamphetamine and heroin inside boxes of magnets into Australia while locked up at Barwon Prison in February last year.

The Notorious Crime Family gang boss, who is serving a 32-year sentence for the shooting murder of Kadir Ors outside Campbellfield Plaza in September 2016, did not let being in a cell at the state’s maximum security prison stop him from continuing to build his empire.

Tony Mokbel.

George Marrogi.

He also attempted to profit $6.1 million when he plotted to have 800 litres of 1,4-Butanediol — used in the party drug, GHB — moved across the South Australian border to Melbourne weeks earlier.

The plan came undone when the drug mule truck driver, in his 70s, was stopped by police in Horsham.

The court heard how Marrogi puppeteered his girlfriend, Antonietta Mannella, 29, who was on the outside, to be his lead contact for other drug syndicate members.

Mannella, from Mickleham, used burner phones, encrypted apps, and an email account in which the gang’s posse would log in to read messages sitting in draft, to avoid a digital footprint.

Marrogi and Mannella appeared in court via video link from prison where they each pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and attempting to traffick a drug of dependence.

They are both facing life terms behind bars.

Commonwealth prosecutor Samantha Holmes said Marrogi directed Mannella in all things business, using code words like “fish” and “did they make it to the aquarium?” to ask if the drugs had been delivered.

“Happy dance time?” Marrogi asked Mannella when wanting to know if the consignment had been picked up.

George Marrogi and his girlfriend, Antonietta Mannella have been were charged with major drug importation offences. Picture: AFP

The court heard he would make up to 20 calls a day to Mannella from prison under the guise he was talking to his lawyer.

All prison calls are recorded, except for those between an accused and their solicitor.

Marrogi managed to put the landline number of his law firm’s personal assistant on his approved call list.

But the landline number was then directed to Mannella’s mobile phone, allowing the loved-up pair to fly under the radar while they spoke.

What they did not know is that Australian Federal Police had tapped Mannella’s phone as part of Operation Fuji.

In one call, police allege Mokbel, who is also housed at Barwon, was on the other end of the phone with Mannella.

Ms Holmes said Marrogi had told Mannella he “had to go” and he would get “what’s a name, Tony” to call her.

Ms Holmes said Marrogi allowed Mokbel to use his phone account.

During the call to Mokbel, Mannella told him: “Yeah alright tell him no good.”

“Nah?” Mokbel asks her.

“Nah,” Mannella replied.

“OK,” Mokbel said.

“Police allege that this conversation was Mannella passing a message to Marrogi, through Mokbel, informing him that the consignment had been seized by law enforcement,” Ms Holmes said.

Mokbel has not been charged with any offence.

Marrogi’s barrister, Peter Morrissey, SC, said his client takes full responsibility for the offending, and is remorseful for dragging Mannella into it.

Mr Morrissey pushed for Marrogi to only have a “very modest” amount of time added to his already lengthy sentence he is serving for murder.

He said Marrogi’s time in prison had been “uniquely oppressive” as he was placed in isolation due to threats on his life.

Colin Mandy, SC, for Mannella, said when Marrogi’s sister died in September 2021, it was Mannella who stepped up to perform her role in the crime syndicate.

He said Mannella and Marrogi’s sister were close friends, and that is how she came to be in a relationship with the crime boss.

“People do irrational things when they are in love,” Mr Mandy said.

But he said Marrogi and Mannella are “poles apart in terms of criminality”.

The court heard he had a shocking criminal history, while Mannella had no priors.

Judge Peter Rozen will sentence Marrogi and Mannella next month.