John Ibrahim's brother is jailed for 18 years for conspiracy to import drugs and tobacco into Australia
- Moustafa 'Michael' Ibrahim was sentenced to at least 18 years jail on Wednesday
- The brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim was involved in a drug racket
- Michael, 41, attempted to import MDMA, cocaine, ice and tobacco into Australia
- He claimed he had been setup by undercover police, but a judge dismissed that
The brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim has been jailed for at least 18 years over a conspiracy to import drugs and tobacco into Australia.
Moustafa 'Michael' Ibrahim was facing a maximum possible sentence of life in jail after pleading guilty to eight charges relating to illegal importing rackets.
He was on Wednesday sentenced by District Court Judge Dina Yehia to 30 years in jail with a non-parole period of 18 years.
With time already served, Ibrahim will be eligible for release in August 2035.
The underworld kingpin had claimed to have been setup by undercover police who offered him 'a door' to get drugs into Australia, but Judge Yehia dismissed his claim.
Moustafa 'Michael' Ibrahim (pictured with wife Caitlan Hall), brother of Kings Cross nightclub boss John, has been jailed for at least 18 years over a conspiracy to import drugs and tobacco into Australia
Michael (left) was bullied at school and received 'beatings from his older brothers'. He is seen with his mother Wahiba, brothers John and Fadi. It is not suggested any of his family members had any knowledge of his crime
'The offender was not a reluctant or unwilling participant… or naive,' she said.
'The offender was a trusted and respected participant in the enterprise… expecting significant financial gain.'
Ibrahim's wife Caitlan Hall wrote a letter to the court telling of her 'anguish' after he was shot in a drive-by attack on their city home in 2015.
The court also heard that Ibrahim had struggled at school and was bullied, while also receiving regular 'beatings from his older brothers'.
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In sentencing, the court heard how Ibrahim's mother Wahiba, 72, was now suffering from a number of medical conditions and would be unable to visit him behind bars.
'There is a real chance that his mother will never see her son as a free man,' Judge Yehia said.
Ibrahim pleaded guilty to eight charges over the illegal drug and tobacco importing rackets.
The 41-year-old was involved in two syndicates which attempted to import 1797 kilograms of MDMA, 136kg of cocaine and 15kg of ice into the country.
Ibrahim was arrested in Dubai in 2017 and - along with several other members of the group - subsequently pleaded guilty
During a sentencing hearing before Judge Dina Yehia last month, defence barrister Bret Walker SC said the groups were spurred on to attempt to import such a large quantity of drugs by the undercover police operative.
Members of the group were introduced to the officer who offered them a 'door' to import illegal goods into Australia without detection by law enforcement.
Ibrahim was arrested in Dubai in 2017 and - along with several other members of the group - subsequently pleaded guilty.
Mostafa Dib was sentenced to at least 12 years for his part in the conspiracy, while former real estate agent Ryan Watsford last year received at least four years in jail.
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