A key player in what was Melbourne’s biggest importation of ecstasy tablets has launched an appeal against his conviction, citing Nicola Gobbo’s informing.
Saverio Zirilli, a senior Calabrian mafia figure, has had his first hearing in Victoria’s Court of Appeal. He is serving a minimum 26-year prison sentence after barrister Ms Gobbo advised him to plead guilty following the “Tomatoes Tins” importation scandal.
At the time, the importation – named “Tomatoes Tins” – was the largest seizure of ecstasy in the world. The drugs were replaced with fake pills by the Australian Federal Police, but when no one came to collect, they launched a year-long investigation into the syndicate.
The AFP received the tip from Ms Gobbo, who photocopied a shipping document – known as a bill of lading – and passed it on to her police handlers.
Several men were subsequently arrested and charged, including the ring leader Pasquale Barbaro, who was sentenced to life in prison. Carmelo Falanga and Jon Visser were also both convicted, sentenced to 23 years and 11 years in prison respectively.
Mr Zirilli claims he was part of the accused men that Ms Gobbo advised to plead guilty to the importation, at the time while she was snitching on her clients to police. She would go on to represent caught members, including Mr Barbaro, John Higgs and Rob Karam.
Mr Zirilli’s appeal could potentially pave the way for the 31-strong syndicate to appeal.
More to come.
