News, links, analysis and comments on Melbourne's Underworld

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Policeman faces 80 drug offences

Policeman faces 80 drug offencestheage.com.au:

"A police officer trafficked drugs while moonlighting as a promoter for Sexpo, a court was told today.

Senior Constable Paul Anthony Hatzakortzian was among seven people arrested following a series of drug searches in metropolitan Melbourne today.

The 36-year-old appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court this afternoon and is facing 80 charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to traffic drugs between August 17 and October 1"


This is a witch hunt, kangaroo court, spanish inquisition. When will Police Command just let police members go about their illegal activities in peace...?

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Ferrari seized in gangland swoop...

Ferrari seized in gangland swoop - National - theage.com.au:

"Police have arrested a man and seized a Ferrari during raids on two Melbourne properties allegedly linked to fugitive drug baron Tony Mokbel."


OH GOD not the Kingswood!!!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Fears that police inquiry will undermine trials

Fears that police inquiry will undermine trials...:
"A WOMAN allegedly hit by a member of the disbanded police armed offenders squad has been released on bail, after a court heard her confession might be inadmissable.
There are concerns that a number of alleged violent criminals could walk free because of the assault accusations levelled at members of the squad during public hearings held by the Office of Police Integrity."


This is EXACTLY the sort of thing that happens when incompetent, corrupt or violent coppers get caught. All of a sudden we have to trawl through the past to see who fucked up.

A previous commentor noted that this blog was "anti police" Well fuck that. We aren't. WE just know what happens when this shit hits the fan. It happened when the drug squad went tits up and here we see it again.

The commentor noted that the squad was being reformed and how did we feel about that? Well, hardly suprised. Is there a chence that Victoria would NOT have some sort of armed offenders squad? No! That would be awaving the white flag. In the same way the drug squad was broken up and rebuilt in a new image.

The focus of a new squad is pretty simple:
  • Get rid of all members tainted by past scandals (whether charged/guilty or not).

  • Establish new protocols and checks while the new squad findfs its' feet.

  • Wait for them to fuck up again


  • Simple really...

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Nixon sacks 'unsuitable' officer - National - theage.com.au

Nixon sacks 'unsuitable' officer - National - theage.com.au:

"Victoria's Police Commissioner Christine Nixon today announced that a member of the state's police force has been dismissed.
A statement released by Victoria Police said Ms Nixon was satisfied that the unnamed male senior sergeant was unsuitable to continue within the force."


The OPI investigations are starting to bite. Criminal charges will follow people!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Letter in Todays Age

If only there were many more like Jake - Letters - Opinion - theage.com.au:

"Police accountability? Ask Ms Horvath
DETECTIVE Sergeant Mick Norris (Letters 25/9) suggests police know they will be held accountable, if pursued through standard rules of law for illegal acts they commit under 'the misguided belief that the end justifies the means'. But after reading the story of Corinna Horvath's ordeal in The Sunday Age (24/9), I'm afraid I don't share Sergeant Norris' confidence.
Ms Horvath was hardly an armed robber who lived to threaten the law-abiding community with heinous acts of violence. Yet the police in her case felt safe enough to bust oodles of laws, regulations and protocols (and facial bones) in pursuit of their ends. And their assumptions of safety from accountability would seem to have been well founded.
Perhaps Sergeant Norris, Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu and the rest of the 'Mullet Muppets' could talk to people such as Corinna Horvath and then tell us how they would protect the public from police who act illegally, and hold those police accountable to the extent that they actually pay a price for the crimes they commit.
David Thompson, Clayton"


Mullet's Muppets.

We. Like. That. A. Lot.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Outlaw gangs make killing

A quick Sunday morning post (can't stay and chat- off to... err... church?)

Outlaw gangs make killing:

"Bikie gangs are using standover tactics to intimidate business rivals as they expand from drug trading to legitimate industries around Australia.

The Australian Crime Commission says that while bikies remain prolific drug manufacturers and dealers, they are now investing in apparently respectable industries.

'OMCG (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs') involvement in outwardly legitimate business enterprises is potentially impacting adversely on a number of key market sectors in Australia, including finance, transport, private security, entertainment, natural resources and construction,' the commission has found."

Friday, September 22, 2006

Face off: police rift widens.

Face off: police rift widens - National - theage.com.au:

Ordinarily, the process here at MU is:

  • Quote from source.
  • Write pithy comeback/insulting/sarcastic reply.

But this article has so much utter shite from mso many parties that it fucking defies description.

Let's give it a shot:

As the Police Association labelled the public hearings of the Office of Police Integrity a "disgraceful Spanish Inquisition", the State Opposition said it would review the contracts of Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and other top emergency service officials if elected.


If presenting evidence that contradicts an officer's testimony is a disgraceful Spanish Inquisition: then YAH! for Spanish inquisitions!

As for the State Opposition; shut the fuck up, children. This is a the real thing, not a young Liberals "soggy biscuit" competition. For fuck's sake.


Mr Mullet said the rally would report on the "disgraceful Spanish Inquisition being conducted by the OPI and the outrage- ous behaviour of the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Overland in the investigation of our members attached to the armed offenders squad".


Let's get this straight: the very powers that the OPI have used to show the illegal beahviour of the Armed Offenders Squad are the very same powers the Police Assoc. want for their members to investigate the general public.

Goose. Gander

I think the public will have no issue whatsoever with the investigation methods of the OPI; where the public might have an issue is when Police officers abuse their position and their powers and then lie about it. I also think that when convicted armed offenders start appealing on the grounds that they were the victims of systemic police bashings and illegal behaviour- and then get off as a result, the public might kick up a stink. No one will give a flying fuck what happens to these cops. They are asking for extra civil liberties (like supressing the OPI video)- when they would not extend the basic liberties the offenders were entitled to.

Moving on:

Senior Constable Dabb returned to the witness box yesterday and again viewed the video that seemingly showed him hitting an armed robbery suspect with a telephone after the suspect asked to call a lawyer.

Counsel assisting the inquiry, Garry Livermore, said it was "obvious" that Senior Constable Dabb was on the video assaulting the suspect, known as A100.

But Senior Constable Dabb denied taking part in any assault. "It doesn't depict anything," he said. "I wouldn't know what was going on … I don't know who it is."


Our questions for Dabb:
  • Given you say this video is not you, perhaps you could explain why this video made you collapse a few days ago?
  • Is this video of your interrogation room?
  • Is it you in the video?
  • If not you, then whom?
  • Are you saying this is a staged/faked video?
  • Are you accusing the OPI of staging this/fabricating evidence?
  • If this is NOT you, are you willing to see this video released to the media?
  • Do you think we are all fucking stupid?


Summary: What an epic fuck up this will end up being. Christine Nixon is acting within the law, and in the view of this blog; correctly. Paul Mullet is 20 kinds of stupid, ignorant, pig headed, wrong headed, foolish, deluded and dangerous. his words and actions are not helping him nor the people he purports to represent. What's next? Dennis Tanner for Chief Commish? The Police Union are the most militant and dangerous union in the country. If John Howard and Kevin Andrews want to have a real crack at unionism- forget the MUA, go for the coppers.

Tail. Wags. Dog.

UPDATE

Being an idiot is contagious!

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Police suspended in OPI probe

Police suspended in OPI probe :
"Police Association Secretary Paul Mullett said Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon had 'hung them out to dry'.

'Who are the bad guys? The armed robbers who compromise community safety ... every day of the week,' he said.

While he added that 'no one was above the law', Senior Sergeant Mullett said the officers were entitled to the presumption of innocence and said the evidence should be presented in the appropriate jurisdiction rather than at a public hearing."


One minute he sounds like he supports Guantanamo Bay, the next he makes these bent fuckers sound like David Hicks.

Honestly- he's as consistent as a paranoid schizophrenic three weeks off their meds.

Let's get one thing straight: Paul Mullett is an idiot.

That feels much better.

You heard it here first; even if you knew it all along...

Police hearing 'a Spanish inquisition'

Police hearing 'a Spanish inquisition' -:

"Police Association Victorian secretary Paul Mullett said today that if there was evidence supporting wrongdoing by members of the squad, it should be tested in a court of law and not an integrity hearing.
'This is nothing short of a Spanish inquisition,' he told ABC Radio."


Paul, Paul, Paul. You would defend Hitler if he was a copper. Seriously fella, you just have to learn when to cut these boys loose. Silence at this time. Are you their lawyer? Looking to influence a jury down the track?

Sure, if they go to court the Police Union should support them- but when teh evidence is as overwhelming as this- then perhaps a statement such as "we support our members, but do not condone violence".

Paul, stop trying to frame the way the OPI, the commisioner, the general police structure should be. We DON'T ASK GARBOS ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO RECYCLE so why do you think we should consult with coppers about the law, the courts or the structure should be?

Suggestion: focus on your own organisation first eh?


Police Association secretary Paul Mullett has little time for his detractors. "They have an agenda. That's obvious. We question their agenda," he says.

Yes Paul they do- to get rid of you and your dinosaur attitudes, practices and idiotic statements.

Beatings by police caught on secret film...

Ya Gotta hand it to the toe cutters in the OPI- they really know how to spring a trap:
Beatings by police caught on secret film - National - theage.com.au:
"GRAPHIC video images of detectives beating and kicking a suspect in an interview room have rocked the inquiry into the Victoria Police's disbanded armed offenders squad.
One of three detectives accused over the bashing collapsed in the County Court witness box yesterday after being shown the secretly filmed footage."


Robert Lachlan Dabb- collapsed in court.
Sooky la-la

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Supergrass turns on Mokbel

Supergrass turns on Mokbel - World - theage.com.au:
"A suspect in a high-profile drug case has turned supergrass by agreeing to give evidence against fugitive drug baron Tony Mokbel and his brother Milad.
Milad Mokbel, 38, of suburban Brunswick, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court today on charges including trafficking a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine and possessing methylamphetamine.
Tony Mokbel disappeared towards the end of his Supreme Court trial in March."


Right.

So go on, ask the inevitable question

WHAT ABOUT BAIL?:
"(I have) no doubt in my mind whatsoever he would be well aware of exactly how Tony Mokbel facilitated his escape and have access to the same identical provisions," Sen Det Rowe said.

Milad Mokbel's barrister Robert Richter, QC, told the court his client's incarceration had caused severe hardship for his wife and three children.

He said it may take more than two years before his client was dealt with by the court and evidence about the future charge was a moot point in this case.

He also said Milad Mokbel's mother was willing to provide her house as surety.

Magistrate Donna Bakos remanded Milad Mokbel into custody and adjourned his bail hearing until tomorrow.


Singing: "Once bitten twice shy babe.."

Gotta laugh at his mother putting up her house!
ANOTHER HOUSE!!! MARVELLOUSLY FUNNY!!

Monday, July 31, 2006

Condello suspect photfit released...

Condello murder suspect image released - National - theage.com.au:


"A photofit of the man police wish to speak in relation to Mario Condello's murder; the type of car seen in the 'immediate vicinity' of Condello's home at the time of the murder."


So MU readers: just who is this international man of mystery. Something tells us he's LOCAL, not an import as suggested...

Monday, July 24, 2006

Crikey Website - Reporter takes immersion journalism too far

There's always a bit of time to have a laugh at journos who get caught up in the excitement of the crime world...

Quite. a. big. laugh.

Crikey Website - Reporter takes immersion journalism too far

Thursday, July 20, 2006

More charges over gangland murder - National - theage.com.au

More charges over gangland murder :

"A further three people have been charged over the murder of gangland victim Mark Mallia."


Was this guy murdered by committee or what?

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Murder accused blows court a kiss - National - theage.com.au

Murder accused blows court a kiss - National - theage.com.au:

"An accused gangland murderer blew a kiss, thumped his heart and gave a thumbs-up sign to friends as he was remanded in custody today."

The condemned man ate a hearty breakfast, thumped his chest and cried like a baby once back in his cell...

Second man charged with underworld murder - National - theage.com.au

Another one goes down for the Mallia murder.


Christopher Orfanidis, of Ardeer in Melbourne's west, is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court at 10am charged with murder after he was formally arrested at Sunshine police station yesterday.

Do note that he was arrested at the station- in other words he "presented" himself at the station to be arrested.

The Age- Another Arrest

Friday, July 14, 2006

Mallia suspect arrested in Sydney

Police in Sydney this morning arrested Damien Cossu, 30, in connection with the murder of Mark Mallia, 30, a small-time criminal and close associate of standover man Nik Radev, on August 18, 2003.


This is an interesting development. We here @ MUI had pencilled in Ol' Andrew "Benji" Veniamin for that job, but with a trial coming for Cossu, we'll have to tkae notes and see what's goin' on...



Victoria Police had previously named Mr Cossu as a person of interest in their investigation into Radev's death.

Underworld identity Mick Gatto, at his trial over the killing of gangster Andrew "Benji" Veniamin, said he believed Veniamin was responsible for the murders of both Mallia and Radev.

Heavily armed police from NSW's homicide squad, working with Victoria Police's Purana taskforce, stopped a car and arrested Mr Cossu in the south-west Sydney suburb of Liverpool area about 7.30am today.



Interesting all round. Police had merely named him as a "person of interest". While many folk would jump to the conclusion that a "person of interest" translates roughly as "perpetrator", the truth is the cops often just think a person of interest knows someone who knows something. Several degrees of seperation. Take Graeme Kinniburgh- while he didn't pop Alphonse's clogs, he sure as hell saw Mark Moran do it. Therefore the cops would rate Graeme as a "person of interest" and not a perp.

Though it would appear that Cossu is definately more interesting than most...

The Age- Cossu's arrest in Sydney
ABC news website- Gangland Killing arrest

**UPDATE** He'll shortly be extradited to Melbourne:

The Age Gangland suspect extradited

Superintendent Grant said he expected police would make more arrests in relation to the Mallia murder in coming weeks. "We will be visiting several people over the next couple of weeks," he said.

Commander of the NSW Police homicide squad, Linda Howlett, said police said NSW Police had been working with Victoria Police since January on the case and today's arrest followed "a fair amount of assistance from the public''
.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Court lets bank sell Mokbel assets

FOUR months after he skipped the state, the way has been cleared for the properties of fugitive drug lord Tony Mokbel to be sold by National Australia Bank.

Once again, a bank benefits from the proceeds of crime...

Court lets bank sell Mokbel assets - National - theage.com.au

Thursday, July 06, 2006

...a quickie- Raid in Lalor

Purana underworld detectives today raided house in Lalor believed to be connected with the murder of underworld criminal Mark Mallia in 2003.

Mallia's badly burnt body was discovered dumped in a drain at the rear of a West Sunshine soccer club on August 18, 2003. Police initially had trouble identifying Mallia, a known associate of slain gangland figure Nick Radev, but yesterday confirmed that they recently received information leading them to believe Mallia may have been murdered at the Lalor house.


...more as it happens!

Deja vu

The easter bunny announced today:
"We do the best we can to have a corruption-resilient organisation and one that has a set of values and standards that all members adhere to,'' she said.

"We know that there will be some members (involved in corruption or unethical behaviour) on some occasions, but it is too early for us to suggest that any members have behaved inappropriately until the investigation is completed, until charges perhaps are laid, if that might be the step, but we are still very early in this process.''


The Age- corruption not endemic

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Hot Diggity DOG!

Now this story has the potential to blow a few copper's hats off...:

TWO Victorian policemen are being investigated over their connection to a lucrative hot dog business that makes up to $10,000 each weekend.


What's the big frickin' deal I heard you ask? So they sell past-used-by 'dogs in stale buns to pissed punters?

Problem 1:
...the ethical standards department was probing claims that Shot Dogs paid off-duty officers cash to sell hot dogs and marked police cars had been seen delivering bread rolls and other food to vans when supplies ran low.

Reminds one of New York's Finest Taxi service.

Problem 2:
Senior Sergeant Lewis was registered as the company's original director when Shot Dogs was established in 1995. Australian Securities and Investments Commission records reveal that he has since transferred the business into his wife's name.

Sergeant Brodie's wife is also listed as a director, with a 50 per cent holding in the company.

So you shuffle the deck chairs about and pretend that the past never happened. I sincerely hope these guys don't do any detective work: they'd never catch themselves.

Problem 3:
Another policeman, St Kilda sergeant Chris Lim, helped to establish the business but withdrew a few months later. Sergeant Lim is being investigated by Victoria Police's ethical standards department over his interests in a property company, in which a fellow investor is an associate of Mick Gatto, the man acquitted of murdering Andrew Veniamin in Melbourne's gangland war.

Oh dear- that's a worry. Not the Gatto connection, but rather "St Kilda sergeant". Also known as the "dodgy cops r us" station. Oh and the Gatto connection is still suss.

Problem 4:
The Age has also been told that Shot Dogs bought underworld figure Michael Marshall's hot dog van after he was gunned down outside his South Yarra home in October 2003. Police believe Marshall also used his business, Love Dogs, based outside the Motel nightclub, as a front to sell amphetamines.


Folks, this is the fucking kicker. What, did Wayne Strawhorn do the odd night working in the van? Christ did you read the bit: a front to sell amphetamines. Get that? ok, we'll cut paste it a few times till you do.a front to sell amphetamines. a front to sell amphetamines.a front to sell amphetamines. a front to sell amphetamines. a front to sell amphetamines.

Right. Back to work. Business as usual. Standby for Paul Mullett to crap on about how "cops should be allowed to have outside interests" and totally jump over the fact that once gain, he's defending dodgy cops. We'll be doing a detailed post about ol' Paul and his recent problems. Hopefully it will be when he's tipped out of the Police Assoc. chair.


Michael Marshall murder- The Age
Shot Dogs article- The Age

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Where's Tony?

Ok here's a bunch of stuff to check out about the big man OFF campus:


Right get reading- add any items to the comments section and we'll blog 'em up

MUI

1-0 down with 8 minutes to play

Australia vs Japan?

NO YOU IDIOTS! listen up- Zarah has waved the white flag of surrender:

Lawyer gives up appeal against contempt conviction

Melbourne lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson has abandoned her appeal against her conviction for contempt of court after being warned it could result in a harsher penalty.


Oh damn! She's slowly being painted into a corner. No appeal= no career. Appeal= possible even worse sentence + disbarring. No third option your worship?

It's not a certainty that she will be disbarred (ie there is no mandatory sentence), but hell- it will all add up to the point where there's no freakin' choice but to send her on her way.

Maybe she will do medicine- a sort of reverse Geoffrey Edelsten or Irene Bolger?

We wish her well and will follow this as the hearings and so on are conveyned.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Punch and Judy show

From AAP, via Az...

TWO men accused of threatening to slit the throat of Melbourne gangland widow Judy Moran have been jailed.

Mrs Moran had earlier told the Melbourne Magistrates' Court two men screamed abuse at her, called her a dog, accused her of being a police informer and said they would slit her throat. The incident happened at the Brunswick Club in June last year. Her husband, Lewis Moran, 58, was shot dead in the club in March, 2004.

Rodney Robinson, 53, of Epping, and Robert Gillick, 35, of Greensborough, both pleaded not guilty to charges, including making threats to kill.

Magistrate Duncan Reynolds dismissed the charge of making threats to kill, however found the men guilty of using threatening words.

He sentenced Robinson to two months' prison and Gillick to one month in jail, saying that was the only appropriate sentence in both cases.

Mr Reynolds said the men's behaviour that night caused disquiet to numerous patrons at the club.

He said he took into account both men had significant criminal pasts, but had made changes in their lives to put this behind them.

Robinson and Gillick have indicated they will lodge an appeal.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

There's no place like home... there's no place like...

Yeah, lot of pressure. You gotta rise above it. You gotta harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness energy, block bad. Feel the flow, Happy. Feel it. It's circular. It's like a carousel. You pay the quarter, you get on the horse. It goes up and down and around. Circular. Circle. With the music. The flow...all good things.
Oh Tony why hast thou forsake thine own sister?

KARMA BABY!
hit the link at the top and find out the news.

** YES we have been bad bloggers**
We've been at the Paris of the East drinking daquiri's with the Tone. we're back, bad and ready to blog...

Friday, April 28, 2006

Charges over gangland death - National - theage.com.au

Charges over gangland death - National - theage.com.au

Look we've been flat out. You wanna help? Send an email and we'll see whatcha got (to post)

Sorry folks, normal transmission resumes soon...

Friday, March 31, 2006

Bulletin - Interview 1: Bryant and lawyers

It's 10 years since Port Arthur and a lot of the transcripts from the pre trial interviews have been released. I've not read the lot- but this next passage threw me right off balance:


Bulletin - Interview 1: Bryant and lawyers:
"JWA (MB's Lawyer John AVERY): Have you had any magazines or anything you’re allowed to look at

MB: Oh, I’ve had a few gun magazines

JWA: Gun magazines!

MB: Although that’s one thing I should stay away from"
He has enough insight to recognise perhaps gun mags aren't relly good for him so to speak. But what in God's name was he doing with them in the first place?

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Run.... run... run I'm running

Oh no don't go slow, I'm a coming after you... etc

Thank you The Goodies!

MELBOURNE millionaire and now convicted drug dealer Antonios "Tony" Mokbel jumped bail after he learned he was under investigation for an underworld murder.

Mokbel, who remains missing, was told this month that he was being investigated by the Purana gangland taskforce over at least one — and possibly more — underworld murders.
Ok Sly, U Priveta. WTF gives here? If the Condello hit was nothing to do with Tone and friends- what murders are we talking?

The Age Story

Mokbel: how you can help...

As you all know, we are always willing to help the fine members of Victoria's Police force.

Tony Mokbel is on the run. And while we have no real idea where he is, we think we can assist the police and members of the public apprehend this dangerous criminal.

He is a master of disguise, so we've prepared some deadly accurate photoshop renditions of likely disguises he will use. For contrast, you can see the originals and then see just how clever he is:


And now, with a simple pair of glasses and moustache- he's an ordinary bloke again!

Incredible n'est pas?

Of course, as Tony lives in a fantasy land, he might just use that in his favour:
From this:


To this:

Arrrr me hearties, I've no idea who this lubber Mokbel is, to be sure arrrr!!

Note the attention to detail: the hat, the patch, the shirt and a bird. His own mother would not recognise him. Nor would she want to.

Lastly, you need to understand, gentle reader, that Tony may just indulge some of his personal depravations as part of his getaway. It pains us, but we must present the facts as they stand:
From this:


To this:

I...I...I...I.. like you verrrry much


Please- report his whereabouts. And if you do see him, please do not approach. He has been on the run a few days now and is likely to be very hungry.


Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Mokbel to be sentenced in absentia. 28/03/2006. ABC News Online

He's guilty- but he's off.... and he chose to:
After Mokbel's disappearance the defence counsel feared he was in danger because of an unrelated matter.

However, it can now be revealed that Australian Federal Police told the court all the evidence points to Mokbel having voluntarily absconded.
Brazil anyone? Kinda worked for ol' Ronnie Biggs...

Mokbel to be sentenced in absentia. 28/03/2006. ABC News Online

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Airports monitored in search for Mokbel - National - theage.com.au

Interstate police are on alert and airports are being screened as authorities continue to search for a Melbourne businessman who disappeared during his drug trial.

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police confirmed interstate colleagues have been urged to be on the lookout for Antonios "Tony" Mokbel, who is accused of importing two kilograms of pure cocaine from Mexico in late 2000.
Just keep an eye out for a fat, balding short guy with a hat and sunglasses on.

Oh and bling. A lotta bling.


Airports monitored in search for Mokbel - National - theage.com.au

Attention Antonios Mokbel: your time is up. Please come in

The problem here is that big Tone has either done a runner from Australia or life in general. Either way, we're unlikely to see him for a while...

Prosecutors have made an application to revoke the bail of missing Melbourne businessman Antonios "Tony" Mokbel, who disappeared part way through his Supreme Court drug trial.

Crown Prosecutor David Parsons today made an application to forfeit Mokbel's bail in the form of $1 million worth of properties owned by his sister-in-law.
Geex she'd be pissed off- if it wasn't Tone's stuff. But it is Tone's, so she'll rest easy.

...on the streets.

Prosecution seeks to revoke Mokbel's bail - National - theage.com.au

Monday, March 20, 2006

Mokbel fails to appear in court - National - theage.com.au

As pointed out in the comments from the previous post, Tony Mokbel was a no show in court this morning:
Fears are held for the safety of a Melbourne businessman accused of drug trafficking who did not appear in court today for his trial, a court was told.

Antonios "Tony" Mokbel is accused of being the key player in the importation of two kilograms of pure cocaine from Mexico to Melbourne in late 2000.


Then the intrigue really kicks in:

Justice Bill Gillard told the jury Mokbel's absence could be due to several factors, including his safety.

"His absence today may be due to a number of reasons and one has been raised and that is a question of his safety," Justice Gillard said.

He told the jury Mokbel was last seen by police at 5pm (AEDT) yesterday at the South Melbourne police station where he reported to police under conditions of his bail.

His partner walked with him to the police station, left him and then went home. She had not seen him since, the court was told.

Questions:

  • Has Tone joined those who are no longer with us?
  • Has he done a runner?
  • Just couldn't be bothered today?
  • Dole form was due?
  • Then there's the question of the "partner walked with him to the station". If it's still Zarah Garde-Wilson we'll spew up a collective lung.

BETS PLEASE, BEATS PLEASE!

Mokbel fails to appear in court - National - theage.com.au

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Gangland murder accused in court - National - theage.com.au

This was an odd one, and we apologise for not having noted it earlier.

Police appealed to the public a month or so ago about the wherebouts of old crim Lee torney who had been missing for a year- with bank accounts untouched.

shortly after the found his body in a mineshaft near Castlemaine.

And shortly after that, they arrest Graham Holden- a local who lived near the mine in question

Case-fuckin'-closed.

Gangland murder accused in court - National - theage.com.au

The Age insist on calling this a Gangland murder. We think not. While Torney was on parole for topping Sid Graham, it was back in 1982, and this murder is not connected to the current goings on...

World news from The Times and the Sunday Times - Times Online

How to make Strawhorn and Tanner look lightweight:
TWO “mob cops” went on trial in New York yesterday, in a case closely watched by Hollywood, for betraying their badges to work as paid killers for the Mafia.

Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa, decorated New York detectives who met at the police academy in 1969, are charged with a total of eight “hits”, including one on the wrong man. Prosecutors say they received up to $75,000 (about £42,000) each time.



“The two men were not traditional mobsters,” Mitra Hormozi, the prosecutor, told the jury. “They were better. They could get away with murder because these two men were New York City police detectives.”



World news from The Times and the Sunday Times - Times Online

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Strawhorn dodges another one

Unbelievably:
A JUDGE yesterday discharged a deadlocked jury after it failed to reach a verdict in the long-running drug-trafficking trial of a senior Victorian policeman.
Detective Senior Sergeant, Wayne Geoffrey Strawhorn, 49, the state's most experienced drug squad officer, will face trial for the third time in the Supreme Court on a date to be fixed. He is accused of organising drug deliveries to murdered underworld figure Mark Moran and the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Club.


It's pretty clear that the judge may have erred in his directions to the jury. Instead of the usual nonsense about rules of evidence and weight of testimonies and so on he should have said simply " Right out you go have a cup of tea, come back in say an hour- with a VERY FUCKING GUILTY verdict so I can send this clown down for 20 years. Hoo roo!"

It's also clear that when you start talking up knocking yer own, selling pseudoephedrine without recording the amounts sold and for how much and then having bundles of cash about the place, you are either (a) as bent as a banana or (b) simply watching The Shield. We'll go with part (a) thank you your worship.


Background:

The Speed Trap- Four Corners investigates

The BCs AM program report on 4 The Four Corners investigation
Melbourne Crime site reports
Former Detective on drug /threats to kill charges.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

'Execution' victim probably knew killer - National - theage.com.au

Hello loyal reader!

Look apologies for the break- but Roberta insisted on a QLD trip- claiming that botox and sun lamps don't mix. I'd call "shenanigans" on that 'cept for the fact she could eat my balls for brekky an' shit 'em out before lunch.

So I said yes to the QLD trip. Was a lot quieter this year- what with Benji dead and Carl in jail. That, and Roberta's latest botoxing has stretched her face to the point that conversation is nigh on impossible- without a translator. Bless the Lord for small mercies.

To the tasks at hand:
- The Goanna dropped of the twig. Well he got away with "it". (Define "it" in comments)
- Welcome 2006! Let the mayhem begin! (see below story for first signs of chaos!)

'Execution' victim probably knew killer - National - theage.com.au