Australian crime figure Tony Mokbel has been released after prosecutors dropped plans for a new trial. On Friday, authorities in Victoria abandoned legal proceedings against him regarding drug trafficking charges.

Mokbel was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012. However, his convictions were eventually overturned because his lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, was secretly acting as a police informant against her own clients.

Prosecutors explained that the decision to stop the retrial took into account Mokbel's age, his current health, and the significant amount of time he has already spent behind if bars. Speaking outside the courthouse, Mokbel said he felt relieved and mentioned that he hopes to travel overseas.