Notorious Crime Family founder allegedly ran organisation while in prison

A Melbourne gangland boss has been charged with running a drug smuggling operation from jail. Police allege there were plans to break him out of prison.

A Melbourne crime boss was allegedly running his gang from jail, while waiting to be sentenced for a murder he was convicted of.

The founder of the Notorious Crime Family gang George Marrogi was allegedly setting up drug deals from Barwon Prison while pretending to be on the phone with his lawyer.

George Marrogi allegedly ran a major drug smuggling operation from jail.

The 33-year-old faces 15 years’ imprisonment for allegedly directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

He was also charged with allegedly importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs, a sentence that carries life imprisonment.

The Herald Sun reported police allege plans were discussed on the phone to break him out from Barwon Prison, where he is currently waiting to be sentenced after being convicted of the 2016 murder of Kadir Ors.

Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Krissy Barrett said it was rare to charge someone with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.

“There has only been a handful of occasions where the AFP has charged an alleged offender with directing the activities of a criminal organisation,’’ Ms Barrett said.

“The AFP alleges this man was ordering drug trafficking while he was in jail.”

56kgs of methamphetamine and 13kgs of heroin were found in a consignment of green tea and magnets sent from Thailand in March. Picture: Australian Federal Police

Marrogi’s calls from prison were allegedly going to his girlfriend Antonietta Mannella, who The Herald Sun reports had her phone tapped by the AFP.

Police allege she organised the shipping of 400kg of methamphetamine to Melbourne and had made arrangements to facilitate its arrival into Australia.

When this shipment was seized last year it triggered investigations into the Melbourne-based crime syndicate, which led to the 56kgs of methamphetamine and 13kgs of heroin being seized.

Ms Mannella was arrested at her Mickleham home on Saturday, before facing Melbourne Magistrates Court later that evening and being remanded in custody.

The 28-year-old has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and attempting to import 400ks of methamphetamine.

She faces a maximum penalty of life in jail if convicted of either offence.

“Charging this woman over an alleged 400kg shipment of methamphetamine seized in Malaysia last year is another step in bringing this syndicate to account for profiting from these incredibly harmful drugs,” Ms Barrett said.

“The AFP alleges this syndicate is responsible for numerous importations and will not hesitate to charge offenders when authorities have evidence to link them to previous shipments.”

The pair is next due in court in August.