By Lucy Cormack
Moustafa 'Michael' Ibrahim has been sentenced to 30 years' jail for his role in a conspiracy to import more than 1.9 tonnes of illicit drugs from the Netherlands in 2017.
He is the third person jailed in relation to the syndicate, in which he conspired to import more than 1.7 tonnes of MDMA, 136 kilograms of cocaine and 15 kilograms of methylamphetamine into Australia.
Michael Ibrahim has been sentenced to 30 years' jail.Credit: Edwina Pickles
At the time the 42-year-old told an associate, "I'll move anything you want ... be your f---king right-hand man."
But what an unwitting Ibrahim did not know was that the associate was an undercover police operative, and the operation to import hundreds of millions of dollars worth of drugs a "sham arrangement" directed by police.
"There was never any risk these large quantities of drugs would reach Australia. From the outset this was an undercover police operation," District Court Judge Dina Yehia told a court on Wednesday.
Judge Yehia sentenced Ibrahim, the younger brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, to a non-parole period of 18 years. He pleaded guilty to the charges against him in 2018. His brother John has not been accused of any offences or connection to the conspiracy.
Ibrahim and his co-conspirators were arrested in Dubai in 2017 during one of the largest crackdowns on organised crime in Australia.
The group was targeted by a multi-agency operation into the alleged dealings of two international drug syndicates operating across Australia, Dubai and the Netherlands.
On Wednesday the court heard Ibrahim was a "trusted and willing participant" of the syndicates between November 2016 and his arrest.
His role began when he was unwittingly introduced to an undercover police operative by one of his co-conspirators Ryan Watsford, who was last year sentenced to four years' jail.
Following that meeting Ibrahim developed a "friendship and trusting relationship" with the operative, who said he could open "doors" for Ibrahim.
Ibrahim then arranged to import smuggled cigarettes using the operative's connections.
Judge Yehia found there was "simply no evidence" Ibrahim was involved in smuggling tobacco, or drug-related activity prior to being introduced to the police operative.
"However, once the opportunity was presented, the offender embraced it," she said.
She said Ibrahim's involvement in tobacco smuggling was more "consistently enthusiastic" than in drugs, but overall he was a willing participant, motivated by financial gain.
"We're not petty c--ts. We're gonna make millions …. even hundreds of millions," Ibrahim said to an associate at one stage.
Throughout the conspiracy Ibrahim exercised autonomy and decision-making power, while his presence "guaranteed the smooth running of the enterprises".
Judge Yehia said this was evidenced by his claim that he would be the "eyes and ears" of his co-conspirator Mostafa Dib, during a trip to the Netherlands to collect a sample of drugs.
Dib was sentenced to a maximum 18 years and two months' jail last month.
While Ibrahim could not be considered as the "linchpin", she said he was essential and asserted authority, including when he discovered two associates had taken $65,000 from the group’s dealings without permission.
To punish them, Ibrahim shaved a strip down the middle of their heads and circulated photos of the haircut to the group.
His arrest led to more than 500 police officers conducting raids at 30 properties across Sydney, including John Ibrahim's Dover Heights home.
Upon sentencing, Judge Yehia accepted Ibrahim’s intelligence was "not better than low average". However, she was not of the view this reduced his moral culpability.
The court heard Ibrahim’s mother was 72 and suffering medical conditions.
"There is a real chance his mother will never see her son as a free man," Judge Yehia said.
She told the court Ibrahim had submitted a letter of apology, but said it did not contain an actual apology or any remorse.
Ibrahim has spent 14 years in jail since 2002, including for assault, drug supply and the 2006 manslaughter of Robin Nassour, the brother of Fat Pizza comedian George Nassour, to which he pleaded guilty.
"If not already institutionalised, he certainly will be on release," Judge Yehia said.
With time already served, he will be eligible for parole on August 7, 2035.