Pubdate: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 Source: Age, The (Australia) Copyright: 2006 The Age Company Ltd Contact: http://www.theage.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5 Author: Steve Butcher Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) MOKBEL BARRISTER FACES CONTEMPT INVESTIGATION THE conviction of missing drug importer Tony Mokbel was highly unusual and his imminent sentencing undesirable, the Criminal Bar Association said yesterday. Association's secretary Gregory Lyon, SC, said sentencing should be adjourned until Mokbel reappeared so that all the circumstances and relevant sentencing principles could be taken into account. Mokbel will be sentenced in the Supreme Court today after a jury found him guilty of being knowingly concerned in the importation of two kilograms of pure cocaine from Mexico in late 2000. The case, which has run for seven weeks, was made remarkable by the disappearance of the accused, the withdrawal of his legal counsel and the discharge of a jury member. Mokbel, who was last seen by police last Sunday week, is now being hunted by Interpol. Days before he disappeared, prosecutors asked that his bail be revoked. Now the Lebanon-born property developer, who speaks Arabic, is tagged with an Interpol red notice that seeks a warrant for his arrest. Former Supreme Court judge George Hampel, former chief magistrate Michael Adams, QC, and prominent barrister Phil Dunn, QC, told The Age that the sentencing of a missing person was highly unusual. Mr Dunn said: "It is unusual but not unique. Our legal system works on the basis that the accused person should be in court to hear the evidence. If they are not available because they are sick or absent it usually stops." - --- MAP posted-by: Tom