Vic crime case a Sopranos episode: judge

A Melbourne underworld figure with a history of shooting people is likely to be deported back to Italy after he serves his jail sentence for extortion and drug trafficking.

Rocco Arico was found guilty of firearm and drug possession earlier this month, several months being convicted by a jury of drug trafficking and extorting his associate Arthur Vouthas.

At a pre-sentencing hearing in the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday, Judge Geoffrey Chettle said Arico's relationship with Vouthas seemed "like an episode of The Sopranos".

Defence lawyer Bruce Walmsley argued Arico's gun possession was not necessarily for "nefarious" reasons.

He said it was for protection given the "heavy-duty" types his client was dealing with.

Judge Chettle rejected his claims.

He said Arico had been involved in crime for years and had a history of shooting people.

Mr Walmsley also claimed Arico's threats to shoot Vouthas and his brother-in-law over a drug debt were low level.

But Judge Chettle said the threat "was entirely meant to be fearful".

"I don't accept your factual spin," the judge said.

"It's clear who runs the show (between Arico and Vouthas) and it's your client."

Mr Walmsley also said Arico was "worried to death" about being deported, with Judge Chettle stating he would take that into account when sentencing him.

He also said he would take Arico's high-security classification, which would make prison life more "onerous" for him, into account.

Arico's former Moonee Ponds neighbour Alexander Epis, a prominent former Essendon AFL player, gave evidence that the organised crime figure was a "really decent person".

"I've had horrendous neighbours, but he loved his family and wife," he said.

"I miss him, he used to put my bins out every Friday."

Arico will be sentenced in the County Court of Victoria on Friday.